THE LOCAL British community got some very sad news this week with the death of Brian Clewer. Brian, who would have been 80 next week, passed away about 2pm Wednesday at Cedars Sinai after a short illness.

Brian Clewer was that rare thing – a real institution among local Brits, having owned the Continental Shop in various manifestations since 1967. He was also well known as the host of Cynic’s Choice, a radio program celebrating the best of classic British radio comedy and music which ran for over 40 years.

Born in London, Brian had been involved in radio and advertising before making the move to North America in 1955, settling in Toronto before moving to Southern California in 1962. In those days the leading British import shop in the city was the Continental Shop on Wilshire Boulevard across the street from the old Ambassador hotel in what is now Koreatown. At that time most of the area’s residents were European – hence the shop’s name. Brian bought the business in 1967 and shortly thereafter moved it across the street into the hotel. The Ambassador achieved worldwide fame of sorts shortly afterwards when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated there in 1968.

The Continental Shop specialized in British foods and gifts, and later videos. And Brian also developed a successful sideline in travel, taking groups to Latin America and Japan as well as operating charter flights to the UK. He was at one time America’s largest ticketing agency for Laker airways, the pioneer of budget transatlantic air travel.

But Brian’s first love remained radio, and his voice became well known to a generation of British expats and Anglophiles with Cynic’s Choice, which he began in Toronto and continued upon his move to Southern California. Over the years he kept many of us entertained on Sunday mornings with the the very best of British comedy, including classic sketches from The Goons, Round the Horne, Tony Hancock and much more. He was, according to wife Suzanne, also instrumental in debuting cast albums from now-classic British musical theatre productions, including Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar.

In 1988 the Continental Shop moved to Santa Monica, before moving shortly afterwards to its current location at 17th and Wilshire, where Brian continued to work daily until he was hospitalized two months ago.

Brian Clewer leaves a wife, Suzanne, (they would have been married 24 years on Monday), and a son, Mike who he adopted just last year. Our deepest sympathies go out to them both.