Agarwal Bartan Bhandar

You can find Agarwal Bartan Bhandar at number 108 in Tripoliya Bazar. It is one of those old-fashioned shops where everything is made of metal. We have stacks of stainless steel plates, brass pots, and aluminum cookers reaching almost to the ceiling. It’s a very tight space inside. When you move one thing, you have to be careful not to knock over a whole pile of bowls. The bazar is always crowded and noisy, so there is a constant sound of people talking and bells ringing from the nearby temples. We spend a lot of time polishing the display pieces so they don't look dull. During the wedding season, it gets very busy because people want to buy big sets of utensils for gifts. We have to climb up ladders to get the large tubs and buckets from the top shelves. It’s hard work on the back, and the metal can be heavy. The floor is old stone and it’s seen a lot of foot traffic over the years. We’ve been here in Tripoliya Bazar for a long time, and the shop hasn't changed much. We don't use any computers for the bills, just a pen and a paper pad. It’s a simple way of doing things, but it works for us. We drink tea from the stall next door twice a day and watch the shoppers go by while we wait for the next customer.