As I open my laptop to interview Maria Uribe, owner and manager of The British Pantry, we’re interrupted by Maria’s favorite customers. Chuck (91, from New Jersey) and Sylvia (85, from Dover, England) stroll in for a cup of tea and a chat.
“Mainly a chat!” says Sylvia.
“Sylvia saw a picture of me in my Air Force uniform!” Chuck tells me, as Sylvia chimes in, “And I said, ‘I’m going to marry that man.’ I was 14 years old.”
Sylvia and Chuck are soon to celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary, a cross-continental love story for the ages. “The secret is to say ‘yes, dear!'” winks Chuck.
Soon, another UK/USA couple, on vacation from Texas, wander into the shop and join the conversation. As I’m British, too, we’re soon all talking about the weather, and how much we miss the sea.
“It’s the best part of my job – reminiscing about England,” says Maria. “British people come in from miles away for their home comforts including sausage rolls, tea, crumpets and proper chocolate.”
“Apart from connecting the British community in Colorado, I love introducing Americans to British chocolate!” says Maria. “It’s a lot creamier and less sweet than American chocolate.”
The taste differences aren’t just due to nostalgia. British chocolate has to contain a minimum of 20% coco-solids, double the American minimum of 10%. The milk used in American chocolate is also broken down to extend its shelf-life, and this process produces butyric acid. In short, reader, although I will state my bias for chocolate from my homeland, you have to try it for yourself!
It’s the best part of my job — reminiscing about England. – Maria Uribe
“Also, many Americans here have a connection with the UK, too – either they served on a military base in the UK or they have some heritage there,” Maria says. “I love transporting them back to England for a few minutes.”
Maria was born south of London and grew up in Brighton, England. She met and married a police officer in the U.S. Air Force, then moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1992.
“Everything was different – a total culture shock. I went from drizzle to the desert. Also, the number of choices took some getting used to,” she says. “I remember the first time going to Baskin Robbins and being overwhelmed by the 30 different flavors of ice cream as I was used to only having chocolate, vanilla or strawberry back in England!”
“Additionally,” she says, “I learned that Americans don’t just arrive unannounced at each other’s houses. In the UK, we’re always popping over for a cup of tea – no need to ask in advance. You can’t do that here!”
Maria moved to Colorado Springs in 1998 and was a customer of The British Pantry from when it opened in 2013. By then, she had divorced and married her second husband Rick, a Texas native, with whom she previously co-owned a furniture consignment store. They have been happily married for 24 years this year.
“In 2016, when the original owners decided to sell in order to move away, they asked me if I’d like to take over ownership,” she says.
Maria immediately phoned her husband and was met with silence on the other end of the phone.
“I eventually got him on board, though – I showed him the business potential,” she says.
The British Pantry now includes a thriving, reservations-only Tea Room, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
“I wanted to do something authentic and traditional,” Maria explains. “Our high tea is a set menu, consisting of a selection of finger sandwiches, fresh baked sausage rolls, fresh baked scones with clotted cream and British jam, and a selection of desserts. Everything is made in-house. On Saturdays, we have a wonderful lady named Danika come in and play the harp while everyone enjoys their high tea and there are also hats for people to wear!”
The British Pantry occasionally offers themed weekend events too, which have become very popular.
“So far, we have done a few Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland Teas when we decorate the Tea Room, serve themed food and have a quiz with prizes for the winners. People dress up and have a lot of fun,” Maria says. “Also, our Christmas Victorian Teas are becoming a real tradition for families – we have already taken a few reservations for December.”
Now that you’re all looking suspiciously at the chocolate in your cupboard … The British Pantry is offering a free British chocolate bar for the first 20 customers to use the secret password “Brighton!”
The British Pantry
2403 W. Colorado Ave.
Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
719-473-6659
TheBritishPantry.net