Artika

Artika is situated at 336 Dariba Kalan, right in the heart of Old Delhi’s famous lanes. If you have ever walked through Dariba, you know how tight the streets are and how everything feels like it’s built on top of each other. Our shop is one of those small, narrow spaces that are so common in this area. It has a lot of character, mostly because it’s been around for such a long time and hasn't changed much. The walls are lined with shelves that are packed with all sorts of items, and there is barely enough room for more than a few people to stand at once. Outside, the lane is always full of shoppers, tourists, and people carrying heavy loads on their shoulders. You can smell the street food from around the corner, which is always a distraction during the long afternoons. We spend our days tucked away in this little spot, handling the stock and talking to the people who drop by. It’s a very traditional way of doing business, where you know your neighbors and everyone watches the street together. We don’t have any fancy displays or bright lights; it’s just a plain shop where we keep things simple and honest. The building itself is quite old, and you can feel the history in the creaky floorboards and the thick walls. It’s just our small corner of Dariba Kalan where we spend our time working.