Umar Ibrahim Co.

Our shop, Umar Ibrahim Co., is right on Kalavad Gate Road. We are directly opposite the Tahra English School, so you can always hear the kids playing during their breaks. It’s a lively spot to be in. The building has been here for a long time, and we’ve become a part of the daily rhythm of this street. Inside, it’s a bit cramped because we try to keep a lot of stuff on hand. We don't really have a specialty; we just handle what our customers need. Some days it’s quiet and we just sit by the door watching the traffic go by. Other days, it’s a mad house with everyone wanting something at once. We don't use any high-tech systems or anything. We still write things down in ledgers and keep our receipts in folders. It’s how we’ve always done it. My family has been involved in this for years, and we know most of the people who walk through the door by their first names. We don’t have a big sign or bright lights. Most people just know us as the place across from the school. Sometimes the roof leaks a little when it rains hard, but we just put a bucket out and keep going. It’s an honest way to make a living. We value the relationships we have with the locals and just try to be helpful when someone comes in.