Deepak Pan Bhandar

Being in South Extension Part II means things are always moving fast. Deepak Pan Bhandar is just a small part of this big, busy area. I started working here when I was much younger, helping my uncle out. Now I’m the one opening the shutters every morning. The shop is small, so we have to be clever about where we put everything. It’s mostly just shelves stacked high with different containers. We don’t have fancy uniforms or a big marketing plan. We just show up and do the work. Some days are slow, especially when it’s pouring rain and nobody wants to be out on the street. Other days, we don't even have time to sit down for a tea. We’ve seen a lot of shops come and go in South Ex, but we’ve managed to stay put. The rent keeps going up, which is a worry, but we keep going. Our customers are a mix of people working in the nearby offices and locals who have lived here for decades. We don't talk much about business goals or anything like that. We just focus on making sure the supplies are fresh and the counter is clean enough. It’s a simple setup, really. No frills, no fuss. If you’re walking through Part II, you’ll probably see us tucked between the bigger stores. We’re just a local spot doing our thing every single day.