For many customers, walking into The Celtic Treasure Chest British and European Imports is like taking a step back to another time and place.

The Tilbury Industrial Park retail store and warehouse is busting at the seams with a wide selection of products imported from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and North Ireland -- from tea and biscuits to crisps, candies and sweets.

For items that cannot be imported, owners Steve and Lil McVittie do their best to source Canadian made products just as good, or better, than the original.

They carry British style bacon, sausages, Scotch pies, black pudding, white pudding, Melton Mowbrays and meat pies. They also stock haggis, and many other Scottish items, for anyone celebrating Robbie Burns Day later this month.

The McVitties opened their first store in Vancouver eight years ago after retiring from their respective careers.

The McVittie roots run deep in the United Kingdom and the couple has visited the area.

"We both kind of fell in love with British products," Steve said.

After retirement, they decided to open a store featuring the UK products they loved.

Almost a decade later, the couple now has three locations and is also a supplier for many other retailers.

The McVitties opened the Tilbury location a year ago. They were looking for warehouse space to house the wholesale business and decided to convert the office space into a store.

Steve said customers drive from all over to the Tilbury location to find their favourite British products. One of a big draws, he said, is the selection they offer.

They don't just carry crisps -- they have Walker's brand from England, Tayto from Ireland and Real from Wales. They carry several different kinds of British, Irish, Scottish and Welsh teas imported directly from the UK; there are several different brands of jams, sauces, puddings, cookies and sweets.

The couple delights in seeing their customers' reactions to finding products and many regulars will bring back new items from trips across the pond.

The Celtic Treasure Chest British and European Imports is located at 7550 River Rd. For more information visit www.britisheuropeanimports.ca.