Photo from Jolly's Facebook page.
In the Saugerties Times today: A peek inside Jolly's Good Grub, a British grocery and lunch shop on Route 212. It's run by a cast of characters that includes a former world-traveling antique dealer who once drove a bus from London to India, her East End barrister wife, three dogs, a cat, and a conure who likes Annie Lennox and can say "Buy it or bugger off."
“What everyone really wanted here was a greasy Spoon,” said Helen Wells, owner of Jolly’s British Foods & Good Grub Groceries, a specialty foods store on Route 212 midway between Saugerties and Woodstock.
“But I sell hot coffee, wrapped sandwiches, and lots of British, Irish, Indian and organic foods you simply cannot get anywhere else,” said Wells, an even-tempered if occasionally crusty “career merchant” who’s led a fascinating life across several continents.
Six days a week (they're closed on Tuesday), Jolly's serves up treats from across the pond like Branston pickle, meat pies, Marmite, Cadbury chocolate bars, and, of course, real tea.
"It actually turns the water brown, not some anemic tan,” said Helen.
Hear, hear.
