Raj Hardware

Raj Hardware is a local shop on Yog Shala Road in Pallikkunnu. We are surrounded by houses and other small shops. The store is packed from floor to ceiling with all kinds of hardware stuff. We have nails, screws, hammers, paints, and plumbing fixtures squeezed into every available inch of space. It’s hard to find things sometimes, but we usually know exactly which corner holds what. The air smells like a mix of turpentine and cold metal. We have an old counter where we measure out lengths of wire or rope. There isn't much room for more than two customers to stand comfortably inside. Most of the people who come in are neighbors working on their homes. We give them advice on which screw to use or how to fix a leaking tap. The floor is made of rough cement and has some stains from spilled oil. We open early in the morning because that’s when the builders like to get their supplies. It’s a lot of lifting and moving boxes around, so it keeps us fit. We don't have a computer system for our stock; we just remember what we have or check the shelves. It’s a traditional way of doing things, but it works for a place like Pallikkunnu. We are just a basic hardware store serving the people on Yog Shala Road.