British News

Dallas' top Brits join forces to open smashing holiday foodie shop

There'll be biscuits and shortbreads and tea, oh my.

The British Emporium

UPDATE 1-7-2021: Due to its popularity, the pop-up shop inside Fish & Fizz is "here to stay," British Emporium said in a January 7 Facebook post. The Richardson location, 400 N. Coit Rd., remains open 12-8 pm Thursday-Sunday.

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Two authentic British businesses in Dallas-Fort Worth are joining forces to bring us all more British holiday treats.

The British Emporium, the popular shop in Grapevine which sells all things British, will open a pop-up shop inside Fish & Fizz, the upscale fish & chips restaurant in Richardson owned by Nick & Kelli Barclay, who are genuine bona-fide British natives.

Located at 400 N. Coit Rd., #1908, the pop-up will open on Thursday, October 1 and will be open through the holiday season, providing customers with a more convenient way to stock up on traditional British classics including Christmas puddings, Brandy butter, mince pies, crackers, and more.

British Emporium owner Sheela K. Bailey says in a statement that she's excited for the opportunity to better serve the British community in North Texas, especially since international travel is limited these days.

"Nick and Kelli have been supporters of our store for many years," Bailey says. "And they serve the best fish and chips this side of the Atlantic. During these challenging times when homesick Brits can't travel, comfort food is the order of the day. They can stock up on essential British groceries and pick up a classic meal to take home for the family. No passport required."

The British Emporium opened in Historic Downtown Grapevine in 1992 and is a must-visit for expat Brits, royalty watchers, and Anglophiles. Many longtime customers are from the North Dallas/Richardson/Collin County area.

Nick & Kelli Barclay opened Fish & Fizz in 2018 to spotlight their iconic fish & chips. The restaurant was nominated in 2019 for a prestigious Tastemaker Award for best new restaurant, and Barclay was nominated the same year for best chef.

Due to COVID-19, they're currently open for takeout only. Barclay says in a statement that he wanted to make creative use of his empty dining room.

"Being in the middle of a pandemic has forced us, like millions of others, to look at our business model and figure out a way to survive," Barclay says. "With Takeout Only being our preferred business model until things settle down, we've been looking at an empty dining room. So, I approached Sheela to see if she would like to open a Pop-Up British Emporium in our dining room."

A spokesperson says that the pop-up shop will be a slightly smaller version of the Grapevine store, like a mini store, but with many of the same goods to include not only holiday items but also grocery staples, British teas, biscuits, and shortbreads. It'll be open Thursday-Sunday, 12-8 pm.

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Coffee News

Italian brand Lavazza Coffee opens training facility in Dallas

Lavazza

Lavazza Coffee

A coffee brand from Italy has planted a stake in Dallas: Lavazza, founded in the northern Italian city of Turin in 1895, has opened a state-of-the-art training center in Dallas, at 1722 Routh St. #960, where it will serve as a hub for coffee enthusiasts throughout the Southwest.

Dallas is the newest outlet in Lavazza's coffee training network, joining locations in New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, West Chester Pennsylvania, and Toronto — part of their expansion across high-growth markets in the U.S., and its mission to elevate coffee culture globally. (They're also doling out endorsement dollars in commercials featuring Steve Carell and John Krasinski.)

The facility is equipped with espresso, brewing, and coffee innovation equipment, and will serve Lavazza partners, industry professionals, baristas, and distributors. They'll offer hands-on training, SCA certification, menu development, and emerging coffee trends.

Lavazza already partners with many respected hospitality groups and culinary destinations in Dallas including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Coury Hospitality Group, Al Biernat's Steakhouse, and Vandelay Hospitality.

In October 2025, Lavazza also began serving coffee on flights by Fort Worth-based American Airlines — further strengthening their connection to the North Texas market. The facility will enable Lavazza to provide closer, more consistent support to these partners and help elevate their coffee programs through continued training and collaboration.

Lavazza has been owned by the Lavazza family for four generations. Today they're one of the leading players on the global coffee scene, with a portfolio of top brands that lead their respective markets, such as Lavazza, Carte Noire, Merrild, and Kicking Horse.

In a statement, Lavazza North America president Hossam Ashraf says that "Dallas has an incredible energy and an ever evolving coffee scene," while Lavazza North America Marketing VP Daniele Foti says that Dallas is great, and we must concur.

"As one of the fastest growing hospitality and culinary markets in the country, Dallas represents a tremendous opportunity for Lavazza," Foti says. "Our investment in this new Training Center demonstrates our commitment to the region and to the partners who bring the Lavazza experience to life every day. Dallas is a city of innovation and high standards, and we are excited to deepen our roots here."

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