Cadbury, cakes, cocktail crisps, A Spoonful of Britain in Simsbury has them all and more
Natalie Brown, a native of Cambridge, England, moved to the United States eight years ago. In Simsbury, she met Carly Kyd, a native of Essex, England, and they became best friends. Brown and Kyd like their lives here, but they missed some things from home.
“We were driving an hour and 20 minutes to get our little goodies, to UK Gourmet [in Bethel],” Brown said. “We wanted the Cadbury chocolates. They don’t taste the same as the ones they sell here that are made by Hershey. The American Cadburys aren’t as creamy.”
The ladies don’t make that long drive anymore. On June 1, Brown and Kyd brought the flavors of home to Simsbury. A Spoonful of Britain, their shop next door to Plan B Burger Bar, has a huge Cadbury selection, as well as groceries that can’t be found this side of the pond.
You want Barley Water, Eccles Cakes or Skip’s Prawn Cocktail Crisps? How about Hayward’s Piccalilli, Jaffa Cakes, Jammie Dodgers, Chip Shop Style Mushy Peas, Golden Shred Marmalade or the Irn Bru soda so beloved in Scotland? A Spoonful of Britain has them all.
The women’s love for Cadbury is the heart of and inspiration for the store, but they want to provide all the food needs for local British emigres and American shoppers who have visited England and want those flavors, too.
“There are a lot of English people around here,” Brown said. “Someone came in the other day and said ‘Oh, they have dead fly biscuits!’ she said, using the slang for dark-spotted fruit shortcakes.
Tia Battiston of Simsbury was the first customer the shop on a recent Tuesday morning. Battiston bought Marmite, a few other groceries and two ceramic egg cups.
“Growing up, I had soft-boiled eggs in a small bowl with small bits of toast. Then I saw ‘soldiers and eggs’ on a British show. ... The eggs were in egg cups. The toast was cut in strips, lined up like little soldiers. I wanted it. I knew [Brown] would be my girl.”
The store has more than just groceries. One shelf is lined with pretty teacups and saucers and gift items. Brown said they had a good selection of merchandise commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, but early customers snapped them all up. Any customer can pose with the shop’s cardboard cutout of the queen.
Blankets, bags and doormats feature the Union Jack. A variety of flags are available: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and St. George’s Cross, an early derivation of the official British flag.
In a nod to their husbands’ sports fandom, the shop sells gear for Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal football clubs. When the World Cup comes in November, they are stocked with British World Cup fan gear in blue and red with the lion courant pattern.
Some items show a cheeky British wit, like a candle named “Smells Like Harry Styles,” an aroma of mahogany, bergamot and musk. Mother’s birthday cards are addressed to mum.
One personalized item pays homage to the shop itself: A spoon carved with “A Spoonful of Britain” and the Union Jack, wrapped in a British flag-patterned bow.
Brown said they are planning to sell refrigerated products. She said they also hope to have teatimes in the small outdoor seating area.
Brown is ready to point out any item and chat about how the food is prepared in England. If someone wants something the store doesn’t sell, she keeps a list for future possible sales.
“Some customers are Americans and they ask what we recommend,” she said. “English people come in and walk down memory lane, seeing things they thought didn’t exist anymore.”
A Spoonful of Britain is at 2 Railroad Street in Simsbury. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Monday. facebook.com/spoonfulofbritain.
Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
