Rule, Britannia! U.K. shop to debut this weekend

A new internationally-themed market is coming to St. Petersburg. After a soft opening this Saturday and Sunday, The Wee British Shop will officially debut Oct. 4. 

It has been a passion project for co-owner Sarah Denning. 

Originally from Greenock, Scotland, Denning has been a resident of the Tampa Bay area since 2017. A hairdresser by trade, she has long thought about bringing a bit of her  home culture to the community. 

After moving to St. Petersburg in 2023, she came to realize that there was an opportunity in the market. Her goal was to create an authentic experience that features products from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  

To create the venture, she collaborated with business partner John Tatum, who is from Brentwood, Essex in England. 

While The Wee British Shop is not the first British-themed market in the Tampa Bay area, Denning believes adding Irish, Scottish and Welsh items can help it stand out. 

“I feel it’s something we’re missing,” she said. “I just feel it’s underserved here in St. Pete.” 

Located at 3705 5th Ave N., the shop will feature food and beverages imported from Europe as well as other merchandise. Denning said that she and Tatum are working with multiple wholesalers and distributors to acquire the products. 

Choosing the ideal building for the store was a matter of opportunity, Denning explained. “I had to be ready for when something came up that checked off all of our boxes.” 

She added that opening her own hair salon in Tampa made her more selective for The Wee British Shop’s location. The space Denning and Tatum ultimately chose is approximately 1,000 square feet. 

For Denning and Tatum, the opening of the store is a way to be closer to home. 

“It’s nice to be able to not only bring some of our culture to St. Pete, but also keep in touch with our culture,” she said. “It is nostalgic for us and really brings back all of the good memories.” 

Denning added that she and Tatum plan to host events at the shop and hope to work with local businesses in the community such as British and Irish pups.