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Beloved Steveston British shop on the market for new owner

"Everyone wants to stay," says Best of British Shop co-owner.

For anyone who has ever dreamt of owning an eclectic sweet shop, this might just be the chance to fulfil their dream.

Steveston's Best of British Shop and its neighbour, the Sweet Shoppe, are on the hunt for a new owner as one of the co-owners has decided to retire.

"We're hopefully going to sell it to someone that is going to keep it as is, because everyone wants to stay — all the staff and I want to stay," co-owner Lenny Entwistle told the Richmond News.

Only the businesses are for sale, and not the building on First Avenue, she clarified.

Entwistle added the business is lucrative and the buyer would be in good hands as Entwistle and her business partner Elly Fenton would be helping out with managing the business.

She told the News it was important to keep the staff together in the sale because "everyone wants to be here."

"They love working here... We've got to know all the customers," said Entwistle, adding some customers were almost in tears when they thought the business was going away.

"It's more like a meeting place."

The shop is also known for its efforts to give back to the community. Entwistle often keeps an eye on the Steveston Community Cupboard stationed outside the shop and even started a "pay it forward" project to help hungry residents.

The project for community members to pay for a sausage roll for someone in need is currently on hold, but Entwistle is hoping to bring it back soon.

In the meantime, the Best of British Shop and the Sweet Shoppe are not in a hurry to change hands.

"It doesn't necessarily have to be someone British, but someone that knows the British stuff," said Entwistle.

"Hopefully we'll just get a good fit."

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