All India Florist

Our place is in the Kendra Shopping Centre on Sheikh Memon Street in Borivali West. Being in a shopping center means there is always something going on around us. We have neighbors running all sorts of businesses, and we all kind of look out for each other. The shop isn't very large, so we have to be smart about where we put the buckets so people don't trip. The air inside is always a bit cool and damp because of the flowers. I usually arrive before the mall really opens to get the fresh stock organized. It’s a lot of lifting and carrying, which keeps you awake. Sheikh Memon Street can get really congested, so getting our deliveries out on time is always a bit of a gamble with the traffic. We don't have a big marketing department or anything; we just answer the phone and talk to whoever walks in. Sometimes someone wants a single rose, and other times it's a huge pile of garlands for a temple. We treat it all the same. It’s just work. My apron is usually wet by noon, and there’s always bits of wire and tape stuck to the counters. We’ve been in Borivali long enough that we don’t need to explain much. We just show up, do the trimming, and make sure the flowers don't wilt before someone takes them home to their family.