London Calling: A Taste of Britain in Norcross

England is hot again. The summer Olympics begin in London in a few weeks. Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating 60 years of rule. And Kate and William’s romantic honeymoon has yet to wear off.

And even if you’re not English by birth, what’s to stop you from joining the craze? There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a spot of tea and scones. But if you can’t make it across the pond just yet, that shouldn’t stop you. Just look down the street to in Historic Norcross. There, you might find a framed photo of your favorite monarch, Olympics souvenirs or genuine Scottish shortbread cookies. You might also run into some real English chaps.

Like Her Majesty, Edna Berkshire is marking an anniversary of her own, as store proprietor for the past 20 years. A native of Essex, just north of London, she meets lots of fellow Brits who come by her shop to stock up on groceries or buy souvenirs that remind them of home.

What is your business and when did you start?

We are a retail shop selling only imported British groceries and giftware. It was started in Norcross in 1989, and I purchased it in 1992. So I am coming up to my 20th anniversary in October.

What makes you unique?

I think we’re one of a kind in Atlanta. Our customer base comes from the greater Atlanta area. We are a destination shop because the Brits particularly come here for their groceries. This is all of the stuff that we all grew up with in the U.K., most of which you cannot find in the supermarkets here. So they will come here and stock up.

The giftware is unique because it is all imported from the U.K. We try to make sure it is all made in the U.K. and it isn’t something that you go into the malls or other department stores and find.

What are some of your favorite things in the store?

In the giftware side, the china is the big draw because I think it’s different. You know, England always has a reputation for selling good quality china. And the teapots are big sellers. We have an assortment of teapots here. We try to have a little of everything. We try to have some quality giftware but also some souvenir stuff as well. People want a flag to display or a sticker to put on their car or a license plate. And we will have that here.

And of course, right now we are leading up to the Jubilee celebration and the Olympics. So we will be focusing on that for the next few months. We have commemorative memorabilia for the Queen’s 60th anniversary on the throne. So we have cups and plates and spoons and different items commemorating the Queen’s anniversary.

And then for the Olympics, we’ll be waving the flag greatly for Great Britain and U.K., particularly since the Olympics are in London this year, very close to my home where I came from.  

What do you find rewarding about running Taste of Britain?

There’s a very social atmosphere here because of all the British people that come in and out of here. It becomes a place to meet and chat. It’s just like a bonding that makes it so nice. We have the same customers that have been coming for the 20 years that I’ve been here. They come in and stock up on their groceries every few weeks.

What are one or two things that people are thrilled to find in your store?

Cadbury chocolate that is made in the U.K. It’s a lot different from the Cadbury chocolate that’s made here in the United States. And the teas. Most people in England drink a black tea, and we take it with milk. That’s the most common way to drink tea. So we carry the two No. 1 brands in the U.K.

What do you like about being located in Norcross?

It's location, location, location. Because it is accessible from all of the interstates. And if people are coming through Georgia down I-75 or I-85, they will make a point of coming to the Taste of Britain, if they are coming from out of state and coming to Atlanta. So we’re very fortunate to get those customers.

Taste of Britain is located at 73 S. Peachtree St. in downtown Norcross and can be contacted at 770-242-8585.

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