BRITISH ROOTS
Tradition Moving Forward
In 2006 Maxine Clarence met Rachel Cripps on a plane ride to the UK. Their conversation about not being able to find quality British products in this predominantly french province of Quebec led to a partnership and a name. Rachel soon moved on to her chosen profession of wedding planning as Maxine carried forward and grew a steady little customer base of ex-pats stocking up on well loved British groceries, biscuits and chocolates. In 2014 Maxine decided to move on and put her little one room shop up for sale. Nicky Fisher, from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and her husband Derek Jones, whose father is from London and who has been educated in a North Devon boarding school, bought the business and soon put their own stamp on it, modernizing processes and expanding from 1 room to 2.
In March 2018 Nicky and Derek took a further plunge and moved the shop in to a unique 19th century building on Main Road in Hudson. A house for more than 80 years but lastly used as an Italian restaurant, Nicky and Derek immediately saw the potential the building had to incorporate a British menued Tea room/restaurant with an ever expanding shop. Derek took early retirement after 31 years with UPS and joined Nicky full time. Now almost 6 years after their move they have an ever growing client base who enjoy being able to 'walk in to the UK without leaving Quebec'.
Times change, and post Covid-19 things have changed for many restaurants, and ours is no exception. 2024 will see us in a new location doing what we do best. We will continue to welcome you to Clarence and Cripps, whether you are popping in for a jar of Marmite, finding a perfect gift for a Harry Potter loving teenager, discovering flower jewelry imported from the UK for a wedding anniversary or just want to enjoy a chat. Clarence and Cripps is Quebec's biggest little British shop.
BOUTIQUE
Clarence & Cripps stocks all sorts of foodstuffs and gifts that are continually updated. Find Cadburys, Union Jack flag gifts, McVitie’s, Batchelors, Yorkshire Tea, Robertson’s, Tate & Lyle and Royal Worcester Wrendale fine bone china & linens...the list of familiar names goes on and on.
Clarence & Cripps' customers are made up of ex-pats looking for familiar flavours from their days in the UK, locals who want to try out some delicious food, passing visitors, and people who travel from afar to have a chat and stock up on their favourites.
