Khodiya Pan

You can find us in Kadodara at shop number 5. It’s a tiny little place, just a notch in the wall really. I’ve been sitting at this counter for a long time. There isn't much space inside, just enough for me to reach all the jars of betel nuts, tobacco, and spices. The counter is covered in a sheet of old linoleum that’s starting to peel at the edges. I spend my time preparing the leaves and chatting with whoever stops by. It’s a good spot for catching up on what’s happening in the neighborhood. We don’t have a big selection of things, just the basics that people around here like. The lightbulb inside is a bit yellow and flickers sometimes when the power is unsteady. We stay open pretty late into the night because that’s when most of our customers come around. It’s usually quiet in the afternoons when the sun is high. I keep a small radio on the shelf to listen to the news. There aren't many places to sit, so people just stand on the sidewalk and talk for a bit. We don't have any flashy advertisements or deals. It’s just a simple pan shop where you can get what you need and move on. I know most of the regulars and exactly how they like their pan made. It’s a living and it keeps me busy enough every single day.