Balaji Sastri Mart

We are located at 62-9-87 in Akkpedianera, which is a bit of a mouthful to say if you aren't from around here. Being near the Sai Baba Temple means we see a lot of people every day, especially on Thursdays when the crowds are really big. Balaji Sastri Mart is a small place, really. We keep the shelves stocked with whatever people ask for most. It’s mostly just me and one other person helping out. We open up early in the morning, right around the time the first prayers start at the temple. The bells ringing in the distance is how we know it’s time to start the day. The shop doesn't have fancy lights or a big display window. We just put the goods out where people can see them. Most of our customers are neighbors who have been living in this part of town for years. We know most of them by name, and we usually know what they’re going to buy before they even ask for it. Sometimes the rain comes down so hard that the street floods a little, and we have to put sandbags by the door to keep the water out. It’s a small, honest shop, and we just try to keep things organized. It's not a complicated life, but it keeps us busy from morning until the temple lights go out at night. We just do our best to keep the shelves full and the floor clean.