Syed Ali & Sons

You can find us at number 11 in the Shopping Arcade inside Hotel Samrat. Being in Chanakyapuri means it is a bit quieter than the rest of the city, which is nice for us. My father and brothers are usually around the shop. We have been doing this for a long time, so we know the routine well. The arcade has a specific smell, like old wood and maybe some perfume from the hotel lobby nearby. We sell things that people might want when they are traveling or visiting. It is not a very big space, but we make it work by stacking things high. Every morning we open up, sweep the floor, and check if anything needs dusting. It’s mostly just us sitting and talking until someone comes through the door. We don't really do much advertising. People usually find us because they are staying at the hotel or someone told them we were here. Sometimes the lights in the arcade flicker, but it’s an old building so we don't mind much. We have a small kettle in the back for making tea. It’s a steady job and we enjoy seeing the different faces that pass through. Chanakyapuri has a lot of trees, so even in the summer, it feels a little cooler when we walk to work. We just keep things simple and take each day as it comes without too much fuss and worry about the future.