Annika Sarees

Our place is at R-128C in Vani Vihar, which is over in New Delhi. It’s a residential-feeling area, so it doesn't feel like those big malls you see everywhere. We have been selling sarees here for quite some time now. The shop isn't very big, so we have to be clever about how we stack the boxes. Every morning we open up and start the day by arranging the displays. It’s a lot of folding and unfolding, which can get tiring by the afternoon. Delhi summers are really hot, and even with the fans going, it gets a bit stuffy inside. We usually have people from the neighborhood coming in to look at what’s new. We don’t really do big advertisements. Most people just know we are here because they live nearby or heard about us from a friend. We try to keep a good mix of colors and fabrics on the shelves. Sometimes we sit on the stools and chat with the customers about the local news. It’s a very relaxed environment, nothing like those high-end boutiques where you feel nervous to touch anything. We just want people to feel comfortable looking through the sarees. The street outside is usually quiet compared to the main roads. It’s just a small, local business trying to make a living in the city. We keep things simple and honest for everyone who stops by.