From Timber to Tropical Flavours
Harris and Salim came from families that were deeply rooted in the timber and plywood business. “It would have been the easiest thing to just follow what our families were doing,” Harris recalls. “In fact we did that but then monotony set in and we wanted to create something different, something that people would remember.”
With so many food business ideas, why did they choose fresh juice? “Funnily enough, it wasn’t some deep rooted love for juice,” Harris laughs. “It was about finding a business that had longevity. We realized that people might stop eating outside food for health reasons, but juice? Juice was universal. It wasn’t just a treat; it was a necessity.”
Back in 1996, fresh juice stalls were mostly unorganized street vendors. There wasn’t a single brand that stood out. Harris saw an opportunity there. “Juice was always available, but no one had thought about standardizing it and offering it in an ambience people would visit not just because they needed a drink but because they wanted to experience it.”
So with little experience but a lot of passion, the duo opened a juice shop. Fruit Shop on Greams Road was born, starting with one small outlet of course on Greams Road, Chennai. Over time, the Fruit Shop became a landmark. The brand was with youthful creativity, quality and consistency. One of the elements that set them apart was their quirky, playful drink names – from “Valentino” and “Blue Dot” to the iconic “Jughead Special”. Each name was designed to pique curiosity and offer something memorable beyond just taste. “We wanted people to remember what they ordered,” Harris shares. “Giving our drinks fun names added a sense of personality to the brand.”
The Early Struggles: Learning on the Job
Like every entrepreneurial journey, Fruit Shop’s beginning wasn’t smooth. Harris remembers their initial days vividly. “I was a fresh graduate. I had no experience in running a business, but I knew one thing – I didn’t want to work for someone else. I tried taking up a job, but my salary was barely enough to fill petrol in my bike for 20 days.” That realization pushed him to take control of his own destiny. But running a juice shop wasn’t easy. “We were learning on the job. From sourcing the best fruits to handling customers, everything was new. But one thing we never compromised on was quality.”
The Secret Ingredient: Consistency
One of the biggest reasons Fruit Shop has survived and met the expectations of multiple generations is its unwavering consistency.
“We’ve never gone overboard with our pricing or changed who we are,” Harris explains. “You’ll never find a fancy, overcomplicated menu here. What we offer is simple, fresh, and exactly the way our customers like it.” Even today, Salim personally checks the fruits every morning – their quality, their ripeness, and their stock levels. “We haven’t taken a backseat. We’re still very much involved in the process. That’s what keeps the business strong,” Harris says with pride.
Building a Business, Not Just a Brand
For Harris, Fruit Shop isn’t just a business but it’s also a platform for growth. And not just for himself, but for his employees. He has a dream: “I want to create 1,000 entrepreneurs from within Fruit Shop.” While it’s an ambitious goal, Harris believes in planting the idea so that even if he can’t accomplish it fully, someone else might. “I tell my employees – don’t just think of yourself as staff. Think of this as a learning experience. Absorb everything, and when the time is right, go out and create something of your own. That’s the real success of a business.” This belief stems from his own experience of starting with nothing but a vision.
“An organization is a sum total of its people,” he explains. “If I have a hundred employees, and each of them operates at a value of 10, my company is worth 1,000. But if I can help them grow to 100, my company becomes 10,000.”
Lessons from the Road
Beyond business, Harris has picked up some valuable life lessons that have touched and changed him. ’Give Way, Make Space’ is one of them. “I used to have terrible road rage,” he admits. “Once, I chased down two youngsters because they used some bad language in traffic. I confronted them, and we had a huge argument. When I got home, I realized how irresponsible I had been.” That moment changed him. Now, every time he drives, he makes a conscious effort to give way to pedestrians, slow down for buses, and make space for tempo drivers. “I feel wealthier now. Not in money, but in the smiles and gratitude I receive from strangers on the road. That’s a kind of richness no bank balance can give you.”
Moments That Matter
Success, for Harris, isn’t about numbers or expansion. It’s about the stories Fruit Shop has created. “I once met a customer who told me that visiting Fruit Shop 20 years ago made him dream bigger. He was earning just ₹3,000 a month back then. He resolved to earn more so he could afford to patronise Fruit Shop on Greams Road without a second thought. Today, he runs five or six businesses. He told me our shop was a turning point in his life,” Harris smiles. “That’s what this is about. The memories people take from here – that’s success.”
A New Generation, Updated Strategies
Now, the next generation has stepped in, bringing fresh ideas and energy to help Harris and Salim take things forward. “They bring in new ideas and see things differently,” Harris says. “It’s exactly what the brand needs right now.” While staying true to the shop’s roots, they’re adding a modern touch – taking the brand online, introducing new ways to connect with customers, and keeping it fresh for younger crowds. “We’re still about quality and consistency,” Harris adds. “But now, we’re ready for what’s next, without losing what made us special in the first place.”
The Legacy Continues
Today, Fruit Shop is more than just a juice shop – it’s a symbol of nostalgia, quality, and perseverance. Whether it’s regulars who have been visiting for decades or newcomers stepping in for the first time, everyone has a story connected to the shop. What started as a juice shop has become a legacy, and for the next generation, this is just the beginning.
