Tejas Masale

We have a small shop, number 7, over in Chhapakhana on the Ring Road. We are right near the Jain Kirana Store, so we get a lot of foot traffic from people doing their daily shopping. We sell various spices and blends that we put together right here. The smell of roasted cumin and ground chilies is always hanging around the doorway. It’s a simple shop. We have shelves lining the walls with jars and bags. We don’t have fancy lighting or a big display window. People come here because they know the quality is decent and the price is fair. We spend a lot of our time grinding and mixing. My hands are always stained with turmeric. We talk to the customers about what they’re cooking and sometimes suggest a different mix if they’re trying something new. It’s a friendly place. We aren't trying to build an empire; we just want to run a good shop on the Ring Road. Some days it’s just me here, and other days my brother helps out when it gets busy. We like the local feel of Chhapakhana. It feels like home. We just do our work, keep the place clean, and make sure the spices are fresh for whoever walks in. It’s been this way for a few years now, and we like the routine.