Sardar Phataka Mart

The shop is located at 663 Budhwar Peth, right in the thick of the old city market. For most of the year, things are fairly quiet around here, and we spend our time organizing the stock and making sure everything stays dry. Firecrackers need a lot of care because dampness ruins them completely. When the festival season approaches, the whole atmosphere changes. The narrow lanes get packed with people, and we are constantly moving boxes from the back to the front. It is a lot of work to keep things safe and orderly when there are so many customers asking for different things at once. We carry the usual stuff like sparklers and ground spinners that the kids like. The shelves are built high up to hold all the various boxes. My hands usually smell like sulfur by the end of the day. It is a family-run place, so there is always someone sitting on the wooden stool near the entrance. We don't have fancy lights or big banners. The old wooden door has been there since I can remember. Sometimes the heat in Budhwar Peth gets a bit much, but the thick walls of the old building keep the shop relatively cool. We just keep our heads down and serve whoever comes through the door. It is a tradition for many families to come here every year, and we appreciate that.