Atar Ahmed Dawood

People often miss our shop if they are walking too fast. Shop-6 on Lans Down Road in Colaba isn't very large, but it’s been here for quite some time. We spend most of our mornings just dusting the glass bottles and making sure the fans are working because it gets really humid near Appollo Bunder. It is just a regular place where we keep different oils and scents. Sometimes people come in just to escape the sun and chat for a bit. My desk is usually covered in receipts and small vials that I need to organize later. We don't have a fancy showroom or anything like that. It’s mostly just shelves packed with whatever we’ve managed to stock up on. The street outside is always noisy with taxis and people heading toward the water. You can hear the sounds of the city all day long through the open door. We don't really do much advertising. People mostly find us by word of mouth or they just happen to see the sign while walking to a cafe nearby. It’s a bit messy behind the counter with all the packing materials, but that’s just how it is when you’re busy with small orders. There isn't a big team here, just a couple of us who know where everything is kept. It’s a simple way to spend the day, surrounded by these strong smells that stay on your clothes even after you go home.