Local British baker reacts to passing of Queen Elizabeth II

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- People across the globe are sharing their stories, memories, and overall reaction to Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on Thursday. Even here, in South Bend, Indiana.

Tucked away in one of the corner booths at the South Bend Farmers Market is The Great British Treat House. The owner, David White, says as he’s giving folks in South Bend a taste of Great Britain, conversations about the Queen come up every day. To him, it shows how much her impact reaches.

“It’s a different sort of day today,” White said.

Thursday is a day to remember the legacy that Queen Elizabeth II leaves behind the United Kingdom and beyond.

“The Queen is held in the highest regard by everybody back home, and I think everybody that comes through the market,” White said.

For him, his booth at the market gives him the chance to talk about the Queen every day with customers.

“We do greetings cards and the biggest sellers are the Dancing Queen cards she features in. I would say we talk about the Queen five to six times a day, everyday that we’re here,” White said. “People have been to the Buckingham Palace, seen the changing of the guard, how many Prime Ministers she’s seen.”

It’s something he appreciates and reminds him a bit of home, 250 miles northeast of London.

“Back home, we would get days off school when the Queen would come talk at the railway museum and things like that, everybody was waving flags at the jubilee parties and things,” White said. “So really, she’s been the Queen for all of my life.”

His time selling British treats at the South Bend and Mishawaka Famers Markets has taught him that the respect for Queen Elizabeth II goes well beyond the U.K.

“The respect people have for her is immeasurable, really,” White said.

The Great British Treat House sells products that the Queen herself has tried and has enjoyed. You can find them at the booth, indicated with a Royal Seal on the label.