Fine food lovers are the target market of a new shop which has opened in the centre of Hamilton.

The Gourmet Boutique & Galler Chocolatier, which is a family business run by owner Bernadette Walker, her husband Leetroy and daughter Kelly Creary, sells everything from chocolate, shortbread and tea to cheese, caviar, foie gras and smoked salmon.

Based on the corner of Reid and Queen Streets, alongside its retail offering, the new boutique holds product tastings, as well as the wholesale and corporate sales side of the business out of its office upstairs, which has been in operation since February.

Ms Walker said her inspiration came from learning to appreciate the finer things in life during her 15-year stay in London and having originally planned to start her own business there, she was finally given the chance to do so on her return to Bermuda.

Moving back to their homeland, Mr. Walker, who manages the finances, took on the role of food and beverage director at the Fairmont Southampton in 2004 and Ms Walker later joined Capital G Bank as business development manager.

Having done her market research and drawn up a business plan, Ms Walker decided there was a call for a European fine food shop on the Island providing award-winning and unique products exclusive to only a small number of upscale department stores or little boutiques.

Through her entitlement as a member of staff at Capital G, she was given first preference on the premises when it became available after Pulp & Circumstance relocated to Front Street and has never looked back since.

"When I was living in London we would buy some different things and just have a nice romantic weekend and that is where the inspiration came from," she said.

"We are essentially a boutique within a boutique.

"The products we sell are the best of their kind and we want to provide our customers with products which can be paired with each other."

Despite the recession, Ms Walker believes that launching a new business in these tough economic times enables you to take advantage of favourable rental prices and to pass any savings onto the customer, in return building up a loyal client base. Being situated in a prime location has also provided a good return, with many shoppers dropping in out of curiosity to have a look at her wares and business spreading by word of mouth. Ms Walker also plans to hold an open house event to mark the official opening.

"Everyone says it is something different and they haven't seen anything quite like it before and want to come in and have a look around," she said.

Ms Walker, who has an MBA in Business and Marketing, with a career in banking and insurance, has also managed to overcome the issue of staffing, taking on two other employees, but she said nothing quite prepared her for starting off on her own in business.

"It is a bit scary going off on your own in business," she said.

"You have to get up every day and work hard, and be completely dedicated and devoted to what you do because you are the one who is running the show.

"You also have to have an extensive background in product knowledge because people don't just want to buy something, they want to know the story and history behind what they are getting."

The shop stocks a range of goods from Galler chocolate, the Shortbread House of Edinburgh shortbread and Whittard of Chelsea tea, tea pots and mugs to Artisanal cheese, Petrossian caviar and foie gras, H Forman & Son smoked salmon, Italian olive oil and own brand preserves.

There is even a chart which explains which wine, beer or champagne to pair your cheese with and the store has applied for a liquor license to supply alcohol.

Customers can also just sit back and relax while reading a paper or book and watch the world go by outside or simply enjoy the atmosphere.

Meanwhile corporate customers can have gift baskets made up for clients, special occasions and the like, costing between $25 and $500, with Ms Walker already establishing a customer base of six corporate and four wholesale clients.

The Gourmet Boutique is open from Monday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information contact 296-9425, e-mail inquiries@the-gourmet-boutique.com or visit the website at www.the-gourmet-boutique.com