5 minute read
CELTIC TREASURE CHEST
It has been seven years since Cristina Ciccone and Stephen Coulson purchased Celtic Treasure Chest. As regular customers, they counted on the shop for its fine assortment of products from the United Kingdom. They brought their kids there when they were young to introduce them to Stephen’s British heritage.
When they discovered Steve and Lil McVittie were selling the business, Stephen and Cristina started stocking up on products. Then, they had an idea; they ran through a “what if we bought the business” scenario. While neither had retail experience, they loved the shop and wanted to ensure it continued.
Like Stephen, many of their customers hail from Great Britain and are searching for products the couple miss from home.
Seeing, smelling, or tasting a particular food can take people to another place and time.
Stephen says, “I like to refer to the shop as my nostalgia emporium, and it’s true that sometimes people are surprised to see something that they haven’t seen in a while, although many come in with a pretty good idea of what they are looking for.”
“A few years back, a gaggle of young women came in. As soon as they set foot inside, they were squealing excitedly. I could hear them going from aisle to aisle, giggling and shrieking in delight as they recognized various items. When they got to the counter, I asked them how long they’d been in Vancouver,
“A few years back, a gaggle of young women came in. As soon as they set foot inside, they were squealing excitedly. I could hear them going from aisle to aisle, giggling and shrieking in delight as they recognized various items. When they got to the counter, I asked them how long they’d been in Vancouver, imagining that it must have been a good number of years for them to be so emotional. “Two weeks,” they said. It seems that homesickness can set in pretty quick sometimes.”
Stephen has fond memories of foods from his childhood.
“I still like a good sharp pickled onion, Jaffa cakes and Ginger Nuts. Cheese and onion are still the king of crisps. Some things have changed. In the old days, the Sherbet Fountains were wrapped in paper with the stick of licorice just poking out the top where hundreds of little fingers could leave their grubby prints before you bought it and stuck it in your mouth. Now they are all hermetically sealed in plastic.”
Early on, Cristina and their daughter Lalla were actively involved. Lalla is now an archaeologist and is often away on digs, and Cristina’s registered clinical counsellor practice demands more of her time. Their son, Gianluca, still works at the shop. Sometimes, you will see him at the till, but more often, he assists behind the scenes.
“We have had many employees in our seven years and are still in touch with some of them. We’ve been lucky to have had many great people work with us. You’ll likely see Alex on shift if you’re in on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. On the weekends, we have Maggie on Saturdays and Matthew on Sundays. Last year, a young lady named Amy from England joined us and has been taking on more of the shop’s management. If you came by during the Coronation, you would have tasted her Cornish pasties and Victoria sponge cake.”
Products are imported directly from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
The neatly arranged shop has a deli and dairy section stocked with UK-style sausages, bacon, meat pies, sausage rolls, pasties, Scotch pies, haggis, Scottish kippers, haddock, white (Mealy) pudding and black (blood sausage) pudding, clotted cream, double Devon cream and British and Irish cheeses.
Grocery items are plentiful and include jams, marmalades, teas, biscuits, chocolates, sweets, beans, soups, chutneys, pickles, spreads, and baking supplies.
Top sellers include Walker’s Cheese and Onion crisps, meat pies and Brennan’s sausages. The black puddings are very popular, as are Jaffa Cakes and Hula Hoops of all kinds.
“Come Christmas, the Marks and Spencer cakes and puddings are very popular. When Easter rolls around, we carry the proper big chocolate eggs.”
People who are difficult to buy for or do not want material goods often enjoy consumable presents. Celtic Treasure Chest also has some Coronation stock left, including mugs, teacups, tea towels, and some commemorative Queen Elizabeth items.
People who are difficult to buy for or do not want material goods often enjoy consumable presents. Celtic Treasure Chest also has some Coronation stock left, including mugs, teacups, tea towels, and some commemorative Queen Elizabeth items.
“We have gift cards, and we can also mail gift certificates. As usual, we will carry a broad selection of Christmas puddings and cakes along with Christmas offerings from Cadbury, Celebrations, Heroes advent calendars and selection boxes. Our Marks and Spencer Christmas items may even come early this year (fingers crossed)!”
The customers and their smiles are the most rewarding part of owning Celtic Treasure Chest.
“We have great customers, and we love chatting with them. It’s gratifying when we can help them find what they are looking for. It’s also wonderful watching strangers talk to each other and seeing friends being surprised to bump into each other.”
Celtic Treasure Chest
5639 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, BC V6N 1W5
Phone 604-261-3688
www.celtictreasurechest.com
(Story by Sarah Gordon. Nov 2023. PALLA MEDIA)