Ebrahimjee Essabhai & Sons

We’ve been at 11, Old Hanuman Lane for as long as most people can remember. It’s just off Princess Street, which is one of those parts of Mumbai that never seems to go to sleep. The lane is narrow and always packed with people and goods moving back and forth on carts. Our shop is old and has that specific smell of paper and history. We don’t have much room to move around inside because of all the stock and the old wooden furniture we still use. It’s not a place for someone who likes wide open spaces or modern glass offices. We spend our time talking to customers who have been coming to us for generations, and we still use some of the same methods our grandfathers did. It’s a bit chaotic at times, especially when the monsoon hits and everyone is trying to stay dry in the lanes, but it’s our home. We don’t spend money on advertising or big signs; people just know where we are. Dealing with the daily bustle of Princess Street is just part of the job. We keep our ledgers, drink our chai, and make sure we have what people are looking for. It’s a simple, honest way to do business, and we haven’t seen much reason to change it over the years. We just show up every day and do what needs doing until the sun goes down.