Camden News: Organic Food | Paradise Foods

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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 24 July 2008

Charlie and Maria Stasi at their Paradise Foods shop

We’re brokenhearted, say organic food pioneers as shop shuts

A HUSBAND-and-wife team whose shop brought organic food to Kentish Town nearly 20 years ago have spoken of their heartbreak at its closure at the weekend.
Charlie and Maria Stasi said trading at Paradise Foods, in Kentish Town Road, had become unpredictable following the opening 18 months ago of an organic supermarket a few shops down the road.
“We’re brokenhearted. It’s hurtful after everything we did,” said Mr Stasi, who was upset that some customers deserted his business after so many years.
“We believed in it. We wanted people to eat healthy food and nothing but. Pleasing the customer was more important than making money.”
Mr Stasi, who lives in Ealing, west London, would go to market three times a week, rising at 5am.
Loyal customers have expressed their sadness at the closure. Stef Pixner said: “It was a personal shop. You could have a chat, get a phone number for a roofer and the best coriander. I’m very sorry to hear of its closure.”
Sylvia Libedinsky shopped at Paradise Foods for 10 years. “I’m devastated,” she said. “This was the only shop where they would get something for you if you liked it.”

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