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Steveston’s Best of British is a paradise for lovers of treats from across the pond.

Photo by Hannah Scott

Steveston’s British shop keeps legacy alive

By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Published 10:44 PST, Wed March 4, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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Ever been curious to try British chocolate or other treats? Look no further than Steveston’s Best of British.

The store, located on the corner of First Avenue and Chatham Street, has been in business since November 2017. It carries on the legacy established by Mary Carter, who operated Mary’s British Home for some 30 years.

When Carter decided to move her business to Langley, longtime supporters Lenny Entwistle and Elly Fenton stepped in.

Entwistle and Fenton (from England and Australia, respectively) were already Steveston business owners. They opened their new store with many of the staff that had worked with Carter. Entwistle credits those staff members for helping them learn what products would sell and where to get them from. All friends, they have frequent staff meetings and function as a team.

Entwistle says aside from local Brits, there are many others—from places like South Africa and Hong Kong—who also grew up loving British foods.

“Anyone that’s ever been to Britain knows that our chocolate’s the best,” she says.

But opening a business that relies on imports hasn’t been without its challenges.

“Our main problem is best before dates,” says Entwistle, adding that potato chips—‘crisps’ to the Brits—only have a month left on their best before date when they arrive on shelves. And the store has insufficient storage space to order things in larger quantities, and can’t store perishables in a storage locker. So they pay more for the right quantity of goods.

“It’s just a matter of watching the stock, because sometimes we’ll buy something and it’s gone in a week. We order two lots and nobody touches it,” says Entwistle.

Another challenge is pricing.

“By the time (we) pay for the shipping, the lease, and the salaries, you’re not going to come and do your weekly shopping here. This is nostalgia,” she says.

Many customers come in and recognize old favourites that they haven’t had in years.

“Pies are the best sellers,” says Entwistle. “We have them made locally, but they use the British and Scottish recipes. We have a supplier who makes us all the sausages, bacon, black pudding, and haggis. Everything, apart from the baked goods, is imported from England. It’s got to be British, otherwise why are we doing this?”

The busiest time of year for the shop is Christmas, but the volume of tourists in the summer isn’t bad either. Brits on holiday come in for a little taste of home.”

Entwistle notes there’s a welcoming business community in Steveston. When the new Save-On-Foods opened late last year, she spoke to the manager to ensure there wouldn’t be direct competition. He was supportive of the situation.

“Steveston’s Best of British” has seen enthusiasm from shoppers as well. When Entwistle and Fenton were preparing to open the store, customers kept opening the door and asking how much longer they’d have to wait.

Despite the fact the store has only been in business for two years, its owners are following a long legacy established by Carter.

“I had a dream that Mary came to visit, and we put her behind the till just for a laugh,” says Entwistle. “Mary had a really good following.”

For authentic British items imported from the UK, visit Steveston’s Best of British (12031 First Ave.) between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday or 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.