I was strolling through a neighbourhood in Jakarta, and observed that people’s homes were also doubling up as shops. Each family seemed to offer a service from dentistry, tailoring, fresh vegetables, and more! Commercial life weaved casually into the community, and it looked like every household had found a way to participate in the economy based on their interests and expertise.
In this visual essay, we will stroll through the streets of this neighbourhood where commerce and community blend into the same tapestry.
This corner is home to a charming handmade sign for a Teeth Expert (Ahli Gigi). A few steps away, a sign on the wall points to a prayer room called Musollah. This room provides a convenient space to pray when a mosque isn’t nearby.
A man with a pushcart sells hot chicken porridge on the streets. To attract potential customers, he bangs a metal spoon on an empty bowl. It’s customary for vendors to carry a plastic stool on top of their cart, instantly transforming it into a makeshift restaurant. This stool not only provides a convenient dining spot but also allows him to take a break and rest.
On the same street, there is a sign for a restaurant called Warteg Qinan, which combines two words: warung (meaning kiosk) and Tegal (the name of a town in West Java). These kiosks originated when migrants from Tegal began offering delicious and budget-friendly home-cooked meals. Their simple ordering process allows customers to choose their meals by pointing at dishes behind a glass screen, making it quick and hassle-free!
The home’s window showcases an enticing array of vibrant veggies and spice packets!
Or, go straight for mouthwatering salads such as Gado–Gado and Karedok. These are classic Indonesian salads.
In addition to fresh produce, this shop also offers cooked dishes such as Ayam Penyet, a flavourful combination of rice and fried chicken. It’s not uncommon to stumble upon groceries on the ground while strolling down the streets.
On a Friday, a man wearing a traditional Islamic hat called a songkok rides a scooter from a nearby mosque, passing by banners that promote popular cigarette brands like “Djarum Super.” It makes us wonder if shops are paid to display these advertisements.
Around the corner, a house for sale! If you owned this store, what would you sell?
Sometimes, you can’t enter the shop because the owner and their family might be residing there. This shop sells everything you need for fishing, piled up outside in a hodgepodge display.
A delivery man strolls down the alley, phone in hand, following “last-mile” directions. Meanwhile, an eager duck waddles along right behind him. Pyjamas and clothes line the sidewalk, drying next to the shops.
Why bother with a shop sign when your products can speak for themselves? In this window, you’ll find close to a hundred thread colours on display.
Time for a “motor injection” at this vehicle repair shop!
I love the yellow wooden frame of this shop, which is lifted higher than the ground to prevent flooding. The presence of a bright red raincoat hanging on the wall reminds us of the possibility of rain at any moment! This tiny shop showcases an impressive presence on GrabMart for home deliveries.
And, right outside the shops, children zoom by on their bicycles like mini speed demons, trading jokes and laughter. Jane Jacobs wrote about the critical role that small business owners play in fostering public safety :
“…there must be eyes upon the street, eyes belonging to those we might call the natural proprietors of the street. The buildings on a street equipped to handle strangers and to insure the safety of both residents and strangers, must be oriented to the street. They cannot turn their backs or blank sides on it and leave it blind.’‘
Even heavy-duty items like toilets and doors are exhibited along the street for easy purchase.
In this model, anyone has the power to transform their home into a vibrant trading venue. While online shopping is popular, there is magic in our physical milieu, and serving the immediate community close to home, alongside the broader world.
Shopkeeper Stories 
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