British Pedlar to remember Guy Fawkes Night
Remember, remember the fifth of November.
On Nov. 5, 1605, a group of Catholic men tried to murder the king of England. The group managed to store 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar beneath the palace in anticipation of the State Opening of Parliament.
The group planned to kill King James I and members of Parliament in order to clear the way to reestablish Catholic rule in England.
One of those men, Guy Fawkes, got busted lurking in the cellar by the explosives placed the night before and was taken into custody. Everyone in the group was either killed resisting capture or tried, convicted and executed like Fawkes.
The next year, Parliament declared Nov. 5 a national day of thanksgiving, grateful the plan did not play out. Now every year the United Kingdom remembers the occasion with bonfires burning straw effigies of Fawkes, as well as fireworks, parades and food.
This year The British Pedlar will commemorate Guy Fawkes Night their own way with The British Eatery Food Truck serving authentic British cuisine such as Fish and Chips and Battered Sausage. Come out and learn about a tradition in the U.K. remembered right here in Navarre in the parking lot of The British Pedlar. The event will be Saturday, Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“It’s one of our weirdly special days and I used to enjoy it,” British Pedlar owner Michael Blois said. “That was when I was young and silly.”
Blois, an Englishman who moved to the United States in 2008, has a heart for sharing British culture with the community of Navarre. Michael started out as “British Pedlar’s best customer” and has been the owner since Aug. 13, 2018.
“I fancied a change in life, and I have really enjoyed it. It’s been great, and the customers are fantastic,” Michael said.
The British Pedlar offers authentic British and Irish food and specialty gifts of all kinds. They have a little bit of everything, from a variety of frozen meats and tasty pies to delicious crumpets and sweet chocolate treats.
The store also has specialty gifts from the U.K. including British cutting boards, coffee mugs, wooden home décor, flags, tea pots, wooden spoons, TV trays and coasters.
“Most of this stuff, you can’t buy anywhere other than our shop,” said Michael, whose favorite product is the Caramac chocolate bar.
In addition, if there is a specific British item that a customer can’t find at the store, Michael can order it. The British Pedlar also has an online inventory that can be found on their website BritishPedlar. com with all the same items in the store. Make sure to keep an eye on the website because the Christmas supply is coming soon.
The British Pedlar recently launched a Rewards System, which offers text alerts for sales, food truck dates and stock alerts. Every dollar spent equals one point and customers get $5 off for every 50 points.
The British Pedlar is the only one of its kind. Come experience it yourself.
“It’s probably the best place in the area to come and get a taste of the United Kingdom,” Michael said.
British Pedlar
7552 Navarre Parkway, Suite 19
Harvest Village Court Navarre, FL 32566
850-939-9919
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
www.britishpedlar.com