British shops in Metro Vancouver see uptick in business

Some British specialty shops in Metro Vancouver are seeing an increase in business due to the coronation of King Charles.

“We’re very busy but not just with expats. There’s lots of countries in the world that are used to British products like Hong Kong and South Africa – they like to come in and buy the products too. It’s all nostalgia and a taste of home,” Lenny Entwhistle, the co-owner of Steveston’s Best of British store, said.

The owners were giving out cupcakes and other desserts to celebrate the coronation, as well as playing a recording of the event on a large TV inside the shop.

“I was only wee when Queen Elizabeth was coronated and we didn’t have a TV to watch it, so I didn’t really see it. So I’m looking forward to that. I think Charles will do a pretty good job — he’ll do it in his own way,” co-owner Elly Fenton said.

Fenton says people have also been coming to the shop looking for souvenirs, and says she hopes the heightened interest in finding British goods will continue past the big event.

Some British specialty shops in Metro Vancouver are seeing an increase in business due to the coronation of King Charles. (Sarah Chew, CityNews Image)

One customer says she visits the shop frequently to grab her favourites snacks.

“I buy a lot of the sweets, the pick-n-mix, I love the crisps – I buy the Walkers crisps, the Quavers. I love sausage rolls. I could buy up the whole store, to be honest,” Lindsey Pagnucco said.

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Another British specialty shop in Vancouver says it has also seen more customers flock in to buy staples like clotted cream for scones, and says it has sold out of its commemorative China plates.

“Even out here in this store away from England, there has been such a beautiful energy of the people coming in here and talking about all the celebrations: what they’re doing to get together and enjoy the coronation, whether or not they’re royalists, any excuse to celebrate for the English will be taken,” Amy Bird, the store manager of The Celtic Treasure Chest, said.

Stephen Coulson, the owner of The Celtic Treasure Chest. (Sarah Chew, CityNews Image)

Owner Stephen Coulson says the shop held a street party Saturday like they would if they were in England, with cakes and tea to help bring a bit of home to the city.

“Long Live the King! It’s been a long time since the Queen…died…and to get used to the idea that there’s a King. But I like that idea of at that moment, she dies, he becomes King, and we all now move on,” Coulson said.