What is the importance of The Spice Bazaar in the novel, The Mistress of Spices?

The Spice Bazaar is Tilo's store and the main setting of the novel. The store is Tilo's business and her home. She sleeps here on a mat she rolls up out of the way during the day. She describes the smells of the many spices that are both functional for cooking and provide a basis for some of Tilo's magic. The store also has food used in traditional Indian cooking. The store is located at a corner of Esperanza near a bus stop. After Tilo becomes the proprietor, she rarely leaves the store until the earthquake destroys the building.