Atlantic City Weekly

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Barbara Brown’s bright, outgoing personality would befit a talk-show host or sitcom star. It’s also perfect for running her Absecon-based business, British Connection, where she offers British items ranging from tea sets, to “Mr. Happy” first-aid kits complete with “bruise soothers,” to boot soap, to — well, you get the picture. She’ll also welcome you to enjoy tea and scones, with a complement of lively conversation.

You’re an American who lived in England. Why do we so love the Brits?

We share a lot of culture. Same language, same kind of theatre and entertainment, and, up to a point, same history. With some people who really love England, I find it’s the Beatles, or that whole ’60s kind of musical, rock thing. Many other Americans are into the ‘Brit-coms,’ those sweet little comedies like Keeping Up Appearances and As Time Goes By. There’s also a new group: kids who love soccer.

Just now, several people came in for groceries.

Our foods are very popular. British families — just a part of our client base — like the really traditional things. My husband and friends from England are surprised I carry items so “old fashioned” or “old worldy,” but, for some, that brings back memories.

What would you consider traditional British offerings?

There’s Shepherd’s Pie, which traditionally is lamb, but most people prefer with ground beef. Then there’s “toad in the hole,” a banger, or sausage, in Yorkshire pudding. “Banger and mashed” is sausages with mashed potatoes and gravy, and there’s “spotted dick” — sounds scary, but it’s a dessert, a sponge cake with raisins.

You recently moved the store from Smithville to Absecon.

Two years ago we found this charming old house in Absecon. Perfect for us — we like to have friends in for food, drink, music. Walking the dogs here, we saw this shop was available, and it’s larger but only five miles from the Smithville location.

Dish time … tell us your British love story!

People in my family typically weren’t big travelers — we spent summers in Ocean City, which they thought already was a really beautiful part of the world. But, in my early 20s, I worked with my friend Denise at the Waterfront in Somers Point, and all we wanted to do was travel. She’d met a ship’s doctor, from Norway, on a cruise and she wanted me to go over with her. I knew exactly what would happen: I’d spend all my money, and be left on my own. So I made a deal, I’d go to Norway if we traveled everywhere else in Europe first. We landed in London, and the first night there I met a chap at the Hippodrome. That wasn’t my husband, but he talked me into moving to England. I loved it. One night I went into a pub and here’s Dave singing at the microphone. I was coming out of the ladies’ room at one point, and he suddenly grabbed me and kissed me and said, “I need to see you again.”

Subtle …

Yeah, I thought: what a jerk? But the next day I was bored, and I thought, let me call this guy and let him take me out for lunch. It was the best first date ever.