CHENNAI: In a city which swears by filter kaapi, it takes something special for a tea stall to stand out. One such place is the Chicago Tea Stall in Adyar, and it has nothing to do with its tea, snacks, bhajjis, or a set of loyal customers. A story about the tea shop went viral on social media because of the way its employees are treated. “We don’t do anything special for our employees. Whatever we do are things that every employer must do for their workers,” says Rakesh Kallayi, who runs the shop in the absence of the owner.The tea shop provides free accommodation and food for all its employees.
They are also given gold rings and clothing allowances twice a year. And their salaries are not to be dismissed either! The head cook is paid `700 a day whereas the others including the tea master and the people who help serve tea get around `400 to `500 a day. Money aside, one of the most important aspects for any daily wage labourer is holidays. And unlike other tea shops in the city, employees here get paid leave on May 1 (Labour Day).So why name it after the windy city in the US? “The shop is named Chicago because all of us, including Sukumaran (owner of this shop), strongly believe in the communist ideology and Chicago was the place where the first protests for eight-hour work shifts happened,” explains Rakesh. “When your workers are happy, they will feel motivated to work hard and give their best.”
The tea stall is open from 5 am to 11 pm and according to Rakesh, more than 300 customers flock this joint every day mostly for their daily dose of ‘chai-sutta’, bhajjis and vadas. “This is not the only tea shop I manage,” smiles Rakesh. “There are a couple of other Chicago Tea shops in and around Adyar keeps me busy.”Customers are aware about the impressive employee benefits at this shop, and they have nothing but good things to say about it. “Even after giving so many benefits to its employees, the prices of their items remain reasonable,” says a loyal customer who didn’t want to be named. “You don’t have to take my name because whatever I’m saying is coming straight from the heart. There are many people like me who live afar but still come here just to have tea at this particular shop. A common man can come here and eat how much ever he wants without burning a hole in his pocket.”
This reporter couldn’t help but notice that customers at the tea stall are open in their praise of the owner and Rakesh. “This has been our breakfast place for the last three years. Having three idlis for just `18 is enough to keep us going throughout the day,” smiles one of the customers while leaving the shop. So, anyone up for a cup of tea?
(The writer is a freelance journalist)