Sifa General Store

Sifa General Store is tucked away in the Borabazar Precinct of Fort, specifically in the Ramzan Building on Dwarkadas Lane. This part of Mumbai is very old and the lanes are quite narrow. Building number 59 is where we are. It’s a very traditional area and the buildings have a lot of history to them. Our shop isn't very large, which is common for this part of the city. We sell all sorts of general items that the local residents might need in a hurry. Because we are in such a dense area, there is always someone walking by. The light inside the shop isn't the brightest, but we know where everything is on the shelves. It’s a bit of a maze with all the boxes stacked up. We’ve got everything from toothpaste to pens to small household items. The walls are thick because it's an old building. Dealing with the rain in Mumbai is always a challenge for us, keeping the stock from getting damp. We don't have a big marketing budget or a fancy storefront. Most of our business comes from people who live in the building or right nearby. It’s a lot of quick transactions. We’ve been here a long time and seen the neighborhood change, though the lane stays pretty much the same. It's just a simple, practical place.