Legacy Family Businesses: A Glimpse into how the Families that Deal Together Stay Together!

Family is a unifying bond that holds individuals together while they explore lives separately. However, some families not only believe in eating together but also working together! India has been a land for various such legacy family businesses that continue to exist to this date in nooks and corners of the country. So, on the occasion of International Family Day, we are paying homage to some of the popular legacy brands that are run by families where at least three generations are involved in the operations.

Taj Icecream, Mumbai

Popular for their hand-churned ice creams, made with just milk, sugar, and fruits for over a century now, Taj Ice Cream, located in Bhendi Bazaar was started by Valilji Jalaji in 1887. The business is currently owned by Aamir Ice Cream Wala, the 6th generation of the family. He says, "It was founded by my great-great-grandfather, but my family has passed down this legacy". The ice creams were also loved by B'town actors like Madhubala, Waheeda Rehman, and Johnny Walker and more. 

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Ratanshi Kheraj Sarees, Mumbai

Established over 130 years ago during the British Raj era, Ratanshi Kheraj has carved a niche for itself by preserving the rich heritage of handloom textiles. Inspired by the flourishing cottage industry and the absence of textile mills, the ancestors of Ratanshi Kheraj decided to enter the handloom business and to date maintain the Indian way of sitting on a gadda (mattress) and takiya (pillow), providing a homely vibe to their customers. "The idea behind starting Ratanshi Kheraj was not merely driven by commercial motives but by a genuine passion for preserving the art of handloom weaving", says Bhavesh, MD of Ratanshi Kheraj Sarees and the fifth generation of the business.

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Bhagat Halwai, Agra

Back in 1795, a teenager named Lekh Raj Bhagat migrated from Dausa, Rajasthan, to Agra. With the first-ever shop opened in Agra, Lekh Raj Bhagat started making 'Gond ke Laddoos' in a small space. According to Riddhi Bhagat, the eighth-generation owner, before this city's development, people would eat sugar or jaggery after food. Hence, Lekh Raj Bhagat's attempt was a trial method to earn a livelihood and it worked. Riddhi Bhagat mentions that the business has expanded to a variety of sweets while also keeping up with the advancements to uphold the age-old brand. 

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Bhagat Tarachand, Mumbai

The legendary Bhagat Tarachand has been running successfully for 127 years now. It's a go-to spot for Mumbaikars for Sindhi and Punjabi food and is popular for their veg thalis. Started in 1895 by Mr. Tarachand Chawla in Karachi, this store is currently owned by the third generation of the business. "His magnetic personality, generosity, and goodwill combined with his humble, homely, and delicious food earned him the title of 'Bhagat' (meaning kindness) given to him by his patrons and hence our restaurant was christened Bhagat Tarachand, after the benevolent founder", says Bhisham Ramesh Chawla, grandson of Mr. Tarachand and a third-generation co-owner of Bhagat Tarachand.

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Ajmera Group, Mumbai

It was when Chhotalal S Ajmera, also known as Chhotubhai, came to Mumbai from Vasavada, a small village in Gujarat. Chhotubhai wanted to create affordable houses for the middle class and started by building a township consisting of 600 buildings, with 16,000 flats at Mira Road, Mumbai and then, there was no looking back for him and his generations to come. Dhaval Ajmera, the second-generation entrepreneur and Director of Ajmera Group of Company currently owns the business while the third generation of the family is also involved in the operations. 

The stories of these businesses narrate a story of not just the brand's growth but also the story of togetherness and a common motive of upholding the essence of the legacy of their families!