This rare and charming little English shop, Rosie Lee Imports, located at 673 E Main Street in Ventura , is filled to the brim with goodies from all sorts of far away lands. When was the last time you did something for the first time? That’s what it feels like walking into Rosie Lee Imports. Immediately you feel an almost eccentric but balanced air about the place, making you feel right at home. The name Rosie Lee, for instance, is a Cauckney name for “a cup of tea”, an under-ground coded language using rhymes, used during the mid nineteenth century in the east end of London. A ton of history here!!
Susan Malloy has resided in Ventura and owned Rosie Lee’s for the last 5 years. She is originally from Shropshire county where she grew up on the family owned farm in the country-side. She is a world traveler, unmatched only by James Bond himself, visiting the Middle East, most of Europe, Australia, South Africa, India, Central America, Asia, Greece, and Munich where she resided for 10 years. In turn, Susan shares this passion with patrons that visit the shop, “pin marking” the places they are from on a large world map that hangs on the wall. Great conversation piece! Flags from Scotland, Ireland, the UK and England are sold and their history’s are recognized as well.
Little gems for sale include: souvenirs from the UK and the classic English Brown Betty teapots made from red clay (best sellers); Beskults (biscuits),good for the digestive system, and Rooibos, translated as Red Bush (a naturally decaffineited tea) both from South Africa; English Cockles (clams) and jams in Marmalade, Black Current and Lemon Lime flavors; Nando’s spices from India; Scottish bangers; English biscuits or “cookies”; Mrs. Ball’s South African Chutney; and Potato Crisps (chips).
Chocolate is an English favorite! The largest piece for sale is simply called Dairy Milk chocolate bar measuring 4″x3/4″. Susan explained that here in America, a wax-like substance is added to our candy bars to prevent them from melting so quickly. This changes the flavor of the chocolate to “not as good as the English chocolate”. Aero and Flake are two other favorites, along with an Australian bar called Violet Crumble.
Beverages uncommon to our region include: Ribena a black Current juice from England; a comparative “soda” called Frizzy; Irn Bru, a Scottish “Coka Cola” and best seller; and Elderflower, Queen Victoria’s favorite.
Susan’s pride and joy is her own line of tea! It is packaged by a tea wholesaler and labeled simply as Rosie Lee Imports tea. Flavors of some of these new and exclusive teas include: Bush Breakfast, North Point, Temple Chai, Cherry Berry, and Blackcurrent.
Susan was a delight to meet and interview. She has such intimate knowledge of the histories of the products she sells and a devotion to networking with and educating her patrons. Her generosity and possitive energy is refreshing.
If you would like to contact Susan Malloy please call her at (805) 643-5832 susanmalloy@rosieleeimports.com , or for a personal introduction, please call me, it would be my pleasure.
