Cleveland, OH (WiredPRNews.com) For over 50 years, Gaelic Imports has been providing home-spun food and groceries for Scottish, Irish, English and Welsh ex-patriots in the Cleveland area. It is moving to a new location where it will re-open on March 1, 2011, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the local auto, steel and rubber industries imported skilled labor from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Those tradesmen and their families settled in North East Ohio, far from their homelands and the food they loved. Gaelic Imports filled that gap. Originally operated by Sandy Haine in the early 60s, the store sold imported British food, with meat pies made by the Gaelic Imports in Chicago and shipped in daily on a Greyhound bus.
In time, production of the baked goods (meat pies, pastries, and more) was brought on-site and the Cleveland Gaelic Imports has been producing fresh baked goods ever since.
In 1998 Sue and Jim Henderson purchased the store, continuing the line of Scottish owners.
“A few of our customers today have been coming to Gaelic Imports since it opened in the 1960s, while many grew up coming here,” said Jim Henderson, owner and full-time baker at the store.
Pastries, both savory and sweet, are made in the store, along with sausage, bread and their famous Scottish Meat Pie, also known as a scotch pie or mince pie. It is one of the most popular items at Gaelic Imports.
“All our recipes are brought from the UK, and our customers bring us new ones all the time,” explained Jim. “We even make our own haggis!”
Gaelic Imports also supplies pies and pastries for local Cleveland pubs that want the authentic taste of the British Isles for their customers.
Gaelic Imports still imports groceries that provide a taste of home for many who have moved to Ohio from the United Kingdom, as well as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and India. The store is also popular among those born and raised in the United States, who have come to enjoy the baked goods that are only available at the store.
Jim expressed his appreciation for Gaelic Import’s loyal customers. “We are the only store like this in the state and our customers come from all over Ohio and the surrounding states. Even customers who have retired to Florida stop by when they are visiting friends and family in the area.”
One regular customer moved to the North East Ohio area in 2000 from Northern Ireland. Stephen Herron has been shopping at Gaelic Imports since early 2001 when a friend told him about the store.
“I had been missing some of the basic staples from home, especially chocolate,” said Stephen. “Finding Gaelic Imports was like finding a little piece of home right here in Ohio. I’ve been a regular for 10 years and will be for as long as I live here.”
The upcoming move will place Gaelic Imports in a more central location, with improved parking and access to the store.
Jim expressed his excitement about the move. “The new place is also a bit bigger, and we’re excited about expanding our line of pies and other baked goods to fill the new space.”
Gaelic Imports will be closed during the last two weeks of February and reopen on March 1 at their new location, 5633 Pearl Rd. Parma Ohio 44129.
For more information call Sue and Jim Henderson at (440) 845-0100 or email [email protected] The store’s website is www.gaelicimports.com.
You can also follow Gaelic Imports on Twitter at @gaelicimports.
