Shetye Stores

Parel has changed a lot over the years, but Shetye Stores is still right here at number 3. I took over from my father about ten years ago, and not much has moved since then. We sell basic goods, the kind of things people realize they need at the last minute. The shelves are high and made of old wood that creaks whenever you pull something off them. I spend a lot of my day just sitting on the stool near the counter, watching the world go by outside. Parel used to be all mills, but now it’s all big glass buildings, though my shop still feels like it’s stuck in the old days. I don't mind it, really. It’s a comfortable routine. I open up early, sweep the front, and wait for the first customer to come in for their morning supplies. Sometimes I run out of change and have to ask the neighbor for some, or the delivery truck parks too far away and I have to carry the crates myself. It’s hard work on the back, but it keeps me busy. We aren't trying to be the biggest store around. We just want to be the one that’s open when you need a lightbulb or some soap. It’s a simple life and a simple business, just the way I like it. I plan on being here for a long time yet.