Ronak Choksi

My name is Ronak Choksi and my shop is at 11/1270 Moti Sheri in the Lalbaug area. We are right opposite Naviwadi. The street is quite narrow, so it can be a bit of a squeeze if you’re coming by car. I’ve been working here for many years, following in the footsteps of my family. The building is old and has a lot of character, though the stairs are a bit steep for some people. Inside, we have some old wooden counters where we sit and talk to customers. It’s a small space, so it gets warm in the afternoons. I have a small fan that helps a bit. Most of the people who come in are from the neighborhood. They know me and I know them. We deal with various bits and pieces throughout the day. I keep a ledger for all the notes and figures. It’s not a digital setup; I still prefer writing things down by hand in my book. Sometimes the power goes out and we have to use flashlights to see what we are doing. That’s just part of being in this part of town. I try to be here every day from early morning until the sun goes down. It's a steady life. I don’t need anything flashy. Just a solid place to work and serve the people who walk through the door. If you’re in Lalbaug, you can’t miss the spot once you find Moti Sheri. It's been there forever.