Royal Wedding Fever? The British Connection Aids Your Anglo Obsessions

is known for its imported British groceries, rich tea blends and tea accessories. Its latest addition is causing quite the stir in the community with the latest stock flying off the shelves as quickly as it comes in.

In celebration of the upcoming royal wedding, The British Connection is offering a vast array of commemorative merchandise to mark the occasion. Such collectibles as Will and Kate plates, teacups with saucers and tea towels are available for purchase, but get them while you can!

Since a debut article featuring British foods in The Washington Post, The British Connection has seen a dramatic spike in sales.

“A customer came in with a Washington Post article picturing all these British foods and she asked me if I had any of these items here at the store,” said Barbara Brown, owner of The British Connection. “I laughed and told her that in fact I had all of the items in the picture.”

Wine gums, Yorkshire Tea, Salad Cream and Hobnobs were just a few of the many items featured in the article that Brown proudly displays on her shelves. One particular British food favorite is a royal treat.

The store currently features Rich Tea Biscuits, which has been commissioned this year as Prince William’s Groom’s Cake. The biscuits are light and crisp and perfect when dunked in tea or coated in milk chocolate.

But as any proper wedding guest knows, you can never trump the bride. Therefore, The British Connection is also featuring the bride-to-be’s most favored sweet treat, Sticky Toffee Pudding.  Just pop it out of the can, heat in the microwave and you too can feast like a princess.

The store has had a devoted and loyal following long before its most recent royal attention.

The British Connection has been in business for nearly 10 years. It first opened in Smithville, but good business meant it was soon time to move up and out to expand.

Robin Tricker, of Cream Ridge, travels more than an hour to visit the store in search of groceries for her British husband, John Tricker, bringing a taste of home to this side of the pond.

“Robin’s husband is the best at British history trivia, “ said Brown referring to the store’s Annual Christmas Party for the customers in which they nosh on the best British eats and play British history trivia. “He always wins.”

Barbara’s  face lights up as Robin and her two children come to the store for their annual Easter egg (a hollow chocolate egg filled with mini-versions of their favorite British chocolate bars) and the two chat and laugh, and share a cup of tea before any business is officially dealt with.

It’s the reason why the store’s name is so fitting as the store truly connects with its patrons, making this a local favOURite.