A Little Bit Brit in Texas in Historic Grapevine

In the heart of Grapevine’s historic Main Street, a woman-owned corner shop has been bringing the best of Britain to North Texas for decades.

There are some travel moments you plan, and others that feel like they were waiting for you. I found myself beaming at a Union Jack–trimmed storefront called British Emporium—and all my years of hopping back and forth to England caught up with me in an instant.

My sister lived in England for 18 years, and those visits stitched British habits into my everyday life: a proper cuppa, a soft spot for Marmite, and a lifelong affection for U.K. “crisps.” So when I spotted British Emporium, I didn’t just step inside—I gravitated.

A True Corner of Britain in Grapevine

Interior of the British Emporium in Grapevine, Texas, showing shelves filled with British mugs, gifts and groceries, with the front door and “The British Emporium” sign visible in the background. — Shelves stacked with Union Jack mugs, gifts and groceries make the British Emporium feel like a cosy corner shop lifted straight from the U.K.

British Emporium has been part of Grapevine’s story since 1992, long before international aisles in big-box supermarkets tried to approximate a “taste of abroad.” Owner Sheela K. Bailey, originally from England and now a Grapevine local for more than three decades, has turned this shop into the premier British grocer, tea merchant and gift shop in North Texas.

Located at 140 N. Main Street, in the heart of historic Grapevine between Dallas and Fort Worth, the store is a cosy, woman-owned outpost where shelves are lined with imported teas, biscuits, chocolates, preserves, frozen favourites and those very specific pantry items expats crave—pickled onions, Branston pickle, HP sauce and more.

Step over the threshold and you’re greeted by rows of familiar labels from across the Atlantic, strings of Union Jack bunting, and that unmistakable feeling of being “somewhere else,” even though you’re minutes from DFW Airport.

British Roots with Texas Heart

Owner Sheela Bailey standing and smiling behind the wooden counter at the British Emporium, surrounded by shelves of British chocolates, tins and souvenirs, with Union Jack bunting draped across the front. — Owner Sheela Bailey welcomes visitors with British warmth and Texan hospitality at the counter of her beloved Grapevine institution.

Inside, I had the chance to meet Sheela Bailey herself. She moved from England to Texas for love. She married a Texan, and brought her British roots—along with her determination to find a decent cup of tea—along with her.

What started as a small operation selling good-quality tea grew organically as fellow Brits and curious locals began to ask for biscuits, sweets and all the little comforts of home. Over more than 30 years, British Emporium has evolved into a beloved community hub and “true corner store” where Sheela has watched generations of families grow up, and then return with children and grandchildren in tow. Chatting with her, you feel that blend of British warmth and Texan hospitality—a reminder that immigration stories and independent shops are what give destinations their character.

Crisps, Crunchies and a Wave of Nostalgia

Assorted shelves and boxes filled with British crisps, chocolates and gift sets at the British Emporium, including large multi-packs of Walkers crisps stacked along the floor. — Walkers crisps, classic chocolate boxes and fun gift sets make this corner of the shop a nostalgic treasure trove for expats and Anglophiles alike.

I went in “just to look” and emerged with a bag full of nostalgia. The shelves felt like a highlight reel of my U.K. years—Jaffa Cakes, tea-time biscuits, jars of chutney, and an impressive chocolate selection.

My non-negotiables:

Walkers prawn cocktail crisps – my forever favourite. The flavour sounds divisive until you try it: tangy, savoury and oddly addictive, it’s one of those uniquely British crisp flavours that rarely crosses the Atlantic.
A classic Crunchie – honeycomb toffee wrapped in milk chocolate that shatters and melts at the same time. Truly, heaven in bar form.

For a moment, standing between shelves stacked with British brands, I was no longer in Texas—I was back in a Shrewsbury corner shop grabbing snacks. British Emporium is that kind of place: it collapses the distance between past and present, here and there.

More Than a Shop: A Gathering Place for Anglophiles

Display of British sweets at the British Emporium, with tubs and racks filled with chocolate bars, toffees and colourful bags of candy. — Chocolate lovers and sweet-toothed travellers could happily lose track of time in the British Emporium’s towering wall of British sweets.

Part of what makes British Emporium a worthy travel stop is how it leans into community. Over the years, the shop has hosted themed events from Doctor Who days to British car shows and even early-morning gatherings to watch royal celebrations, complete with costumed fans and classic British motors parked out front.

For expats, it’s a lifeline; for locals and visitors, it’s a low-key cultural immersion. You can pick up a Yorkshire tea tin, chat with staff about regional specialties, and leave with recipe ideas that put a British accent on supper back at your hotel or rental. During the pandemic, Sheela noticed more people discovering her shop while learning to cook at home—grateful to find ingredients that turned “lockdown lunches” into something special. In a world of anonymous online shopping, there’s something meaningful about buying your tea and biscuits from a real person who remembers your face, your favourite chocolate bar, and where you’re travelling from.

Why Responsible Travellers Should Make this Stop

Shelves labelled “Jam & Marmalade” at the British Emporium, filled with boxed biscuits, preserves, crackers and seasonal treats. — Whether you prefer buttery shortbread or thick-cut marmalade, the British Emporium’s biscuit and preserve selection is ready for breakfast and afternoon tea.

On the surface, British Emporium is a fun, quirky stop for anyone who loves U.K. culture. Look closer, and it ticks several boxes for mindful, responsible travel:

Support a woman-owned, independent business. Grapevine’s own tourism board highlights Sheela and British Emporium among the women-led shops anchoring Historic Main Street.
Choose consumable souvenirs. Instead of buying mass-produced trinkets that will end up in a drawer, stock up on treats you’ll actually eat and teas you’ll enjoy long after the trip. It’s a more sustainable way to bring a place home.
Explore on foot. Historic Grapevine is compact and walkable, with preserved Main Street buildings, winery tasting rooms and local boutiques all within easy strolling distance.
Celebrate cultural cross-pollination. A British grocery in a Texas town named for wild grapes feels poetically appropriate: two cultures, one shared love of food, drink and community.

For families, it’s also a fun, low-pressure way to introduce kids to another culture: let them pick out a sweet they’ve never tried, then turn the tasting into a mini geography lesson.

What They Sell

Shelves at the British Emporium lined with jars of jam and marmalade, bottles of cordial and juices, and rows of biscuits and pantry staples beneath a string of Union Jack flags. — From jams and marmalades to classic cordials, the British Emporium’s pantry shelves are a love letter to U.K. comfort food.

Expect a wall-to-wall selection of:

Imported teas and tea accessories
Biscuits and sweets (including classic chocolate bars and seasonal treats)
Frozen pies and savouries
Preserves, chutneys, sauces and pantry staples
British gifts, mugs, books and memorabilia

Trip Jaunt Tips

Wall of teas and biscuits at the British Emporium, with rows of boxed teas from various brands stacked above freezers and cases of packaged treats. — A dedicated “Tea & Biscuits” wall invites visitors to stock up on their favourite brews and dunking biscuits for a proper British tea break.

Pair it with a Grapevine day out. Combine your visit with a walk along Main Street, a stop at a local tasting room, or a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad if it’s operating that day.
Shop like an expat. Ask staff which items locals from different parts of the U.K. miss most—Scots, Northerners and Londoners will all have strong opinions. Build a “care package” that mirrors what they’d send home.
Try at least one unfamiliar flavour. If prawn cocktail crisps sound outlandish, that’s your sign to try them. Travel is about expanding your palate as much as your passport stamp collection.
Think ahead to holidays. British Emporium is especially festive around royal events and the winter season, when tins of biscuits, advent calendars and limited-edition treats appear. Consider timing a visit if you’re in North Texas then.
Bring a reusable bag. It’s a small but meaningful way to reduce waste while you inevitably over-buy biscuits and chocolate.
Quick stop: 20–30 minutes if you’re dashing in for snacks between wine tastings or before a flight.
Lingering visit: 45–60 minutes if you want to chat with staff, browse every aisle and choose gifts to take home.
For current hours, special events and online ordering options, visit: British Emporium – Bringing You Great British Groceries & Gifts Since 1992 (british-emporium.com).

The Takeaway

Close-up of a teal wall inside the British Emporium featuring a “Mind the Gap” London Underground sign, a decorative gold light switch plate and a humorous “City of Westminster – Please adjust your dress before leaving” sign. — Playful London-inspired signs and details bring a touch of Underground humour to the walls of this Grapevine gem.

In a destination known for wineries, heritage railways and big Texas hospitality, British Emporium adds an unexpected layer to a Grapevine itinerary. It’s proof that some of the most memorable travel moments happen in the spaces that feel almost familiar—where a bag of crisps or a beloved chocolate bar can transport you as powerfully as any long-haul flight.

If you find yourself wandering Grapevine’s historic Main Street, leave room in your day—and your carry-on—for a stop at this little bit of Britain in Texas. You may arrive out of curiosity, but you’ll leave with armfuls of treats, a story or two from Sheela, and a renewed appreciation for the small, independent shops that quietly keep culture alive.