Neighborly Neighbors: Mainul Islam

Neighborly Neighbors is a series of posts in which we stop random people, ask them a few random questions, take their picture and post the results here.

Mainul Islam
40 years old
We met Mainul at the corner of Fort Greene Place and Fulton Street, where he sells jewelry, oils and incense. Mainul immigrated to the U.S. from Bangladesh four years ago, and has manned his stall outside Rocky’s Deli & Grill for the past five months.

What are you making?

Mala. It’s a type of necklace from India. It uses small beads, so it can take up to an hour to make one.

What do you sell?

Rings, necklaces and earrings. Also body and burning oil, plus incense. Most of the jewelry comes from India, but some of it comes from Africa or China.

How long do you stay open?

From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. But in the winter business is too slow.

What are sales like?

No sales today. Some people come just to look. “I am looking,” they say, and then they don’t buy. Some days I make $40, some days I make $50.

What job did you hold in Bangladesh?

A transportation company.

Did you drive a bus?

No. I owned the business.

What do you miss most about Bangladesh?

My family. My wife, son and daughter are still in Dhakar, the capital. My daughter is 11 years old, and my son is 5 years old.