New name for OCC shop/tea room specializing in British groceries/chocolates
Maria Uribe stands at the entrance to the tea
room at the rear of the recently renamed British Pantry, which she co-owns and
manages in Old Colorado City.
Westside Pioneer photo
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Specializing in British groceries/ chocolates and also featuring a five-table tea room with fresh-baked scones, the business is at 2403 W. Colorado Ave.
It was started in 2013 by Peter and Susan Holdman, originally from Kent, England; they erected the British flag-styled awning over the front door.
The Uribes also own the Another Man's Treasure store on Sinton Road.
According to Maria, she had been a “Willy's” customer and jumped at the opportunity when the Holdmans put the business up for sale. It didn't hurt that she herself grew up in England (the seaside resort of Brighton, in Sussex County), moving to the U.S. in 1992.
In a 2014 interview, the Holdmans had told the Westside Pioneer that their store name was inspired by the their dog Willy, who was named after their homeland's Prince William.
The Uribes changed the name so that “people would immediately know what we do without having to ask,” Maria explained.
As for the Holdmans, they moved back to Orlando, Florida, Maria said. “Sue was not fond of the cold winters here, and they wanted to return to where they'd lived for 13 years prior to coming to Colorado Springs.”
The British Pantry is open daily, with the tea room open Fridays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations for the tea room are suggested, especially around holidays.
The website is thebritishpantry.net. The phone is 473-6659.
Westside Pioneer article
(Posted 1/18/17;
Business:
Changes)
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