Jharna Sarees

Palm Avenue is a bit different from the crazy markets downtown. It’s got a bit more of a neighborhood feel to it. We are at number 41 K. Jharna Sarees is a family-run kind of place. We’ve lived in this area for a long time, so we know most of the people who walk past our door every day. The shop isn't huge, but it's filled from floor to ceiling with sarees. We have everything from simple cotton ones for daily wear to some heavier ones for weddings. We don't do the big advertising thing; usually, it's just a mother bringing her daughter in because she’s been shopping with us for twenty years. We sit on the floor on white sheets, and we show the sarees one by one. It’s a slow process, not like those big malls where everything is rushed. We like to take our time and talk about the weave and the colors. Sometimes we just chat about the local news while the customer looks through the stacks of fabric. The air conditioner is a bit old and makes a humming sound, but it keeps the place cool enough for everyone. We keep a ledger by hand and still use a regular calculator. It’s how we’ve always done it, and it seems to work fine. It’s a peaceful way to spend the day, surrounded by all those colors and patterns. We usually close up early on Sundays to spend time with the grandkids.