Cis Gifts Store

Cis Gifts Store is located at 22 Vivekanandapuram I Street in West Mambalam. It’s a neighborhood where everyone knows each other. I opened the shop here because I grew up nearby. The street is narrow, so parking is always a bit of a challenge for people. We have a lot of items packed into a small space. I try to keep it tidy but boxes tend to pile up in the corners. It’s just part of running a gift shop in a place like this. Most of our customers are locals who live a few streets away. They come in looking for something small or just to see what’s new. I spend a lot of time talking to the regulars about their families. West Mambalam has a specific feel to it, very traditional and busy. The shop isn't modern by any means. It has old shelves and the lighting is a bit dim in the back. I use a handwritten ledger for most things because it's what I'm used to. Sometimes I forget where I put the tape or the scissors. It's a one-man show most days. I open up early and stay until the street gets quiet. It’s a steady kind of life. No big goals, just keeping the shop going and helping the people who walk through the door. It’s what I know how to do.