Merlin Butcher and Grocery is scheduled to open its doors to the public for the first time on January 24.
Located at 163 Billet Lane, the new food shop is replacing the former Planet Store and will be run by the Merlin family.
Bruno Merlin, who left Rondonia in north Brazil 20 years ago, told the Recorder: “I think we’re bringing something new to the area.
“Our butcher will be different to the English style. We’ll have different cuts but also some English cuts.
“We’ll be a different butcher – there’s nothing around like it.”
The premises will feature a “lunch bar” at the front as well as a grocery store selling a “mix and match” of Brazilian and British produce.
The lunch bar will sell coffees, sandwiches and other snacks.
The butchers will be located at the back of the store.
“We offer fresh meat every day, prepared with care and quality,” Bruno said.
“We also sell a wide range of Brazilian food products such as rice, beans, flours, spices, sweets, drinks, and more.
“Our focus is to serve the whole community with friendly service, good prices, and a welcoming environment.”
Bruno’s wife Dianne comes from Goiania in central Brazil and originally met Bruno in London in 2016.
The couple moved to Cranham in July 2024.
Dianne will be the main operator of the shop once it is fully opened.
“My wife and I are very much family people – we focus on family,” Bruno said.
“I’m doing the [refurbishment] works there and my boy is seven and he’s there with me to help.
“I’ve been working on it for four months – Saturdays, Sundays, late hours.
“We’ve renewed the place to a high standard – it’s a very welcoming place.
“Nowadays people are going back to the old style and family is a big thing.”
Bruno said his daughter Maria is 16 and will be also be working at the shop in a part-time role once it is open.
“Oh my gosh – we want to get open as soon as possible now,” he added.
“We’re very excited about it.”
