‘Some proper food’: New British food store opens in Smyrna

SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN) – A new store in the Historic Depot District on Front Street is bringing a taste of England to Tennesseans.

Hundreds of community members showed up for Saturday’s grand opening of ‘The British Shoppe on Front Street’, Smyrna’s first British food store. The event featured free treat tastings and live music from singer and songwriter Allen Price.

Chris and Amanda Carson are the store’s co-owners. Chris is from East London and his wife Amanda is a Smyrna native. The pair met in London through a mutual friend and maintained a transatlantic relationship for five years, before eventually getting married and settling down in Smyrna. Chris said the people of the town welcomed him with open arms and made him feel like he was at home, but one thing was still lacking.

“I missed all my British food,” Chris said. “I wished there was a bloody British shop down the road somewhere that I could just go and get some proper food, so we decided let’s do this.” 

Chris said the British Shoppe on Front Street will have the best British food, gifts and souvenirs, allowing people to experience his culture without having to take a 9-hour flight from Smyrna to London.

“We carry a lot of vegan stuff, sugar-free and gluten-free,” Chris said. “We’re trying to do what we can for everybody because I understand that not everybody’s the same. Everybody has their needs, so whatever we can do in that respect for our local community, that’s what we plan on doing.”

The Carsons said they couldn’t have opened their new store without the support and encouragement of their Smyrna neighbors, and they’re looking forward to many more years of selling a one-of-a-kind array of English favorites.

“I’ve made so many really good friends,” Chris said. “It’s just like having family. It’s just an amazing place and I love it.”

The British Shoppe on Front Street is located at 122 Front St. in Smyrna, TN. They are open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday. For more information, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram.