Diversity is alive and well in Barton Street with the opening of what is one of the only Romanian food stores in Gloucestershire.
It is Eugenia Odageru’s first commercial venture since arriving in the UK three years ago, and she’s eager to introduce traditional Romanian cuisine and foodstuffs to her fellow countrymen and locals alike.
The 23-year-old, who hails from the small town of Iase, around five hours from the capital of Bucharest, came to the UK to join father Eugena and brother Ionel.
„It was a holiday at first,” said Eugenia. But spotting a gap in the Eastern European food market in the city, she decided to open a Romanian food store.
„There are many Romanians in Gloucester,” she said. „I am always meeting new people.”
And she can expect to meet a few more of them, many of whom have been missing the distinctive tastes of home.
And what can they expect?
„Romanian food contains lots of pepper and garlic and we loved pickled vegetables too, such as cucumber in vinegar,” she said.
All food in her new shop is sourced directly from Romania. Eugenia is keen to see British customers in her shop too.
„I think they will like our cozenac, a type of sweet bread. I would like to introduce them to the best of Romanian food. I think they will like it,” she said.
Fellow Barton Street Trader, Rod Tandy of Custom Frames is delighted to see another business open.
„It’s slightly different to some of the other shops we have down here. We need a bit of diversity. It’s good for the area,” he said.
