Bansal Masala Wala

Our shop, Bansal Masala Wala, is at Shop No. 123 in Patparganj, specifically in Mayur Vihar Phase 1. We are situated near the Mandir Mazjid area, which is a very busy spot with a lot of foot traffic. I’ve been sitting at this counter for many years now, and I’ve seen the neighborhood change quite a bit. We specialize in all kinds of masalas and ground spices. The shop is quite narrow, and the walls are lined with glass jars and plastic containers full of different powders. When you walk in, the smell is very strong—it usually makes people sneeze if they aren't used to it. My son helps me out in the afternoons after he finishes his other work. We get our whole spices from the big markets and then we process them ourselves. We don't add anything extra, just the pure spice. It is a humble business. We don't have a computer system; I still use a thick ledger and a pen to keep track of what we sell. Customers usually come in with their own containers or we wrap things in paper for them. Sometimes we sit outside on stools when it's quiet and chat with the other shopkeepers on the block. It’s a community here. We don't try to be something we aren't. We just provide spices to the local households and keep the tradition going as long as we can.