Mala Sari House

Our sari shop, Mala Sari House, is located at 4147 Nai Sarak in the Naya Bans area. It is a very old building and we have been here through many rainy seasons. Inside, it is full of color because of all the saris draped over the racks. We have cottons, silks, and everything in between. Most of our days are spent showing different patterns to women who are getting ready for weddings or festivals. We have big cushions on the floor where customers can sit while we unfold the fabric. It is a traditional way of doing business that we haven't changed. The walls are lined with wooden cubbies that are packed tight with different fabrics. Sometimes a customer wants to see something from the very bottom and we have to move twenty other saris just to get to it. It keeps us on our toes. Naya Bans is a busy area and the noise from the street often drifts into the shop. We have a big heavy door that we leave open during the day. We don't have any fancy displays in the window, just a couple of mannequins that we dress in the newest arrivals. We have been here for decades now. My mother used to work here and she taught me how to tell the quality of silk just by touching it. We don't use any social media to show off our stuff. If someone likes what they see, they buy it. It is a very simple and direct way of doing things.