Now,fewer shops close for lunch

Signs saying closed for lunch or no branches elsewhere are a unique characteristic of the bustling markets of Pune.

Signs saying closed for lunch or no branches elsewhere are a unique characteristic of the bustling markets of Pune. The shops and vendors here can be seen rolling down their shutters for a prolonged lunch from 1 pm to 4 pm during the week,a tradition ages old.

Older parts of the city like Peth,Camp and cantonment areas are still following the tradition,but newer shops are ushering in a change.

Armaan Sheikh,who runs a new garments store in one of the shopping complexes on MG Road,says that he has never thought of keeping the shop shut. It will be foolish. A lot of people have free time during their lunch breaks these days and want to shop, he said.

Azim,who runs a 35-year-old garments shop called Candy in Camp,said,We earlier used to keep the shop shut between 1 pm and 4 pm. But as time changed,we have started keeping it open all day long.

Shahbaaz Nawab,who runs a computers and accessories shop called iRepair on MG Road,said,Nobody has the luxury to take a four-hour-long lunch everyday anymore, he says.

There are those,however,who believe in following the ancient Puneri customs. Rahul Dahiwadkar of Wittul Shamsett and Sons,a 135-year-old establishment on East Street,said, People who buy jewellery dont often shop in the afternoons. They prefer mornings or evenings. And that is why we dont feel the need to stay open all day.

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