Jay Jalaram

We are based at number 7 in Dabhoi Warje Malwadi. It’s a local spot where we do our daily business. We handle a bit of everything for the people living around here. The shop isn't very large so we have to use every bit of shelf space we have. From the front door you can see the main road and all the people going about their business. We start the day by cleaning the front step and getting the inventory ready. It is a simple routine that hasn't changed much over the years. We know most of the people who come in by their first names. They stop by to pick up what they need and sometimes stay to chat for a few minutes. It’s a quiet life for the most part. We have an old clock on the wall that loses about five minutes every week, but we just adjust it and keep going. The floor is made of old tiles that are worn down in the spots where people stand the most. We don't have a big corporate plan or anything like that. We just want to keep the shop running and make sure we have what people are looking for. It’s just us here, day in and day out, doing the best we can. When the sun goes down, we start packing things up and getting the ledgers in order for the next morning. It's a long day but it feels good to close the shutters and head home.