Hajee K. Ummar & Sons

Our place is right in the heart of the Daily Market in South Ukkadam. We have stalls one through four, so we have a bit of space, but it still feels crowded when the morning market gets going. Hajee K. Ummar & Sons has been a name around here for a long time. My sons and I are usually here before the sun is even up to get everything ready for the day. It’s loud, it’s busy, and there’s always someone shouting for something, but that’s just how the market is. We handle a lot of different goods depending on what's in season. The floor is usually a bit wet and the air smells like all sorts of things, but we’re used to it. We don’t have a fancy office or air conditioning, just the stalls and our ledgers. We talk to hundreds of people every day, from old friends to strangers just passing through. It’s hard work on your feet all day, but it’s what we know. We try to be fair with everyone who comes to our counter. When the market closes up for the evening, we’re usually pretty tired, but we’re back at it again the next day. It’s a family thing, really. We’ve seen the market change over the years, but our spot stays pretty much the same, just a bit more worn down than it used to be. It is part of the local community and we stay here.