Shiv Gauri Masale

Our place is at 381 Pal Road in Subhash Nagar. It's a busy street and there is always some noise from the traffic outside. We started Shiv Gauri Masale because we knew how to work with spices. Since the shop isn't very big, we have to stack the sacks of turmeric and coriander pretty high against the back wall. Every morning, we open the shutters and sweep the front step. The smell of the ground spices is very strong, and it sticks to our clothes all day. Neighbors from Subhash Nagar often come in just to chat while we are weighing out the packets. Because we use an old electric grinder that makes a lot of noise, we have to shout a bit to hear each other. Even though the light in the back room is a bit dim, we know where everything is by touch now. We don't have a big sign out front, just the one the painter did for us a few years back. It’s started to fade a little in the sun. Much of our time is spent cleaning the floors because the spice dust gets everywhere. It’s hard work, and our hands are usually stained orange by the end of the week. Before the evening rush starts on Pal Road, we try to get all the orders done. It's just a regular local business where we show up and do the same thing every day. Most people know us by our smell.