While rumours abound that landmark store downing shutters for good, store partner says only for renovation; on Tuesday afternoon, most staffers were busy packing up
Asiatic will leave a void in hearts, minds and on the landscape. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
The landmark Asiatic store at Churchgate, South Mumbai, is set to close on July 31 for renovation. Located opposite the bustling Western Railway station, Asiatic has long been a go-to destination for anything and everything—from crockery, jewellery, stationery, and food to apparel, bags, leather goods, and even a popular photography studio.
On Tuesday afternoon, most staffers were busy packing up. Several shelves in shops within the store were being cleared out, and small cartons were being carried outside. Many outlets were offering discounts of up to 20 per cent. “We’ve been told to vacate by Wednesday,” said one shop attendant. “Asiatic is going in for renovation and will reopen in about five months. Many of us are returning to our main outlets elsewhere in the city. We are unaware of the details.”
The mezzanine floor, which housed the apparel section and the photography studio, had banners redirecting customers to the new location at the rear side of the building. Staffers on the top floor confirmed they were unsure of the exact plans but were told the renovation was temporary. A cashier at the billing counter said, “The renovation will take around five months.” But many regulars are sceptical that such a vast space can be revamped and reopened in such a short span.
Krishna Gupta, partner at Asiatic, confirmed the closure. “We are shutting down on July 31 for renovation. Asiatic started in 1977, and it’s been 48 years of existence,” he said. When asked whether it was tough going for standalone, brick ‘n’ mortar retail stores like Asiatic to survive in a time of online buying and malls, Gupta simply said, “Due to the e-commerce and online shopping, traditional retail businesses are affected.”
Asiatic has been iconic in the truest sense of the word. It’s USP is location and get-everything-under-one-roof. “At Asiatic, you got a variety under one roof, besides consumer goods, one even got medicines as it had a pharmacy. It was known for stocking reputed brands. The pricing was constant under a management known for its integrity. On my recent visits, I could see that Asiatic did not enjoy the patronage that I was familiar with. Put that down to online shopping,” said Ratu Ramchandani, a South Mumbai resident.
(Left to right) Empty shelves in the cutlery section of the store; it’s a wrap for individual sections inside the store; view of the non-functional chemist counter inside. PICS/CLAYTON MURZELLO
Sachin Bajaj, another long-time patron, said, “Asiatic was a landmark. From passport-size photos to chocolates, it was my go-to store. I have taken my guests from overseas there to buy various things, from perfumes to shirts. I’m going to miss it one hundred per cent.” It has been a meeting point, a lifeline, a go-to space, and a dependable rock for the Late Kates, lazy Daisys, and many more. In the pre-mobile days, when it was impossible to coordinate on the go, groups of people would decide in advance to “meet at Asiatic” for their day out.
Commuters did their last-minute shopping at the store, and it was the gallant Asiatic that came to the rescue of all those who had forgotten to buy something for a special occasion, picking it up right after alighting at Churchgate station. Office administration staff and HR teams bought cakes and gifts from the old, trusted Asiatic for office parties and celebrations.
The photography studio buzzed with students getting quick passport photos for college documentation, several colleges lie nearby. Many would visit Asiatic to get ‘fatafat’ passport-size photos clicked for their ‘phoren’ trips. During Secret Santa, that beloved office Christmas ritual, the store aisles would be packed with employees picking up quirky, thoughtful gifts for their colleagues.
It was also a part of city lore. Around Valentine’s Day, youngsters were seen snapping up artificial roses and love tokens while keeping a wary eye out for self-appointed protectors of Indian culture. Asiatic has been more than a store; it has been a saviour. As one Mumbaikar quipped, “Why does one need counsellors when one had Asiatic?” Surely, many relationships were saved by men hurriedly buying flowers from the florist just outside the shop.
Inputs by Clayton Murzello
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