As a child, Husain Lehri would spend hours at the family owned Super Bookhouse in Colaba, lost in the stacks. Although the 50-year-old store offers academic literature, and titles on urban planning, architecture and design, Lehri wasn’t so interested in the words within. It’s being around a stack of new books that was mesmerising. 

“You know, how that peculiar scent [of books] prickles your nose. I enjoyed that sensory experience as a kid.” Lehri, 37, went on to work at the bookstore, learning budgeting, order dispatch, inventory management, sales and of course, manning the counter. “Despite nosediving into the technicalities, the place always held magic [for me].”