PJ’s Tropical Foods Opens in Snellville

For those in Snellville who want to add Caribbean fare to their dinner tables, PJ’s Tropical Foods offers a variety of pastries, candies, tropical drinks and dry goods direct from Jamaica.i

The husband and wife team of Patrick and Jennifer Stewart opened the new food store located off of U.S. Highway 78 to expand their growing food business. “Whatever you can get on the island, you’ll get here,” said Patrick.

He and his wife are franchise owners of GoldenKrust Caribbean Bakery and Grill on Scenic Highway. They opened the restaurant four years ago after moving to Georgia from Connecticut in 2006.

“We thought it was better to start with a restaurant. It helps us be connected.”

With positive response from the community with their popular menu, Patrick Stewart and his wife felt it was time to open a store that would sell some of the items that they offer at GoldenKrust as well as provide Caribbean ingredients to its customers.

Stewart was initially attracted to the GoldenKrust restaurant chain because of its roots. GoldenKrust was started by two Jamaicans and was formed out of a bakery started in the country. The pair soon opened the Jamaican-style restaurants in the U.S. starting in Bronx, N.Y. and expanding to over 120 stores in nine states.

PJ’s sells many of the pastries from GoldenKrust including spice bun, rum cake and rock cake, a sweet pastry with bits of coconut baked inside.

He also sells callaloo, a dish made of taro leaves or amaranth, Jamaican curry, Mountain Peak coffee, Tastee brand Jamaican cheese and Ackee, the country’s national dish.

They also sell Nature’s Delight creamy ice cream in yummy flavors like rum raisin and grapenut.

Most importantly, he heavily promotes Bigga, a Jamaican soda that is as popular as Coca-Cola is in the states. It comes in several flavors, the most popular being Kola Champagne, and has a crisp taste.

“It’s not so sweet, it’s very refreshing,” said Michelle Roberts, who manages PJ’s and is also Patrick’s sister.

Both the restaurant and store reflect Stewart’s roots as a Jamaican native. He loves his businesses because he can relate to the product and has a deep knowledge of what he sells.

It’s also very much a family affair. His sister Michelle arrived to Georgia a year ago to help her brother in his food ventures. It was natural for her to move because they are a close-knit family.

She says that Georgia is much quieter than the lively Jamaica, but she is adjusting. “It’s a new beginning,” she said.

Customers can come to PJ’s Tropical Foods to pick up their favorite Jamaican foods, or they can place a custom order for certain items. Patrick also sells to other Caribbean restaurants in the area.

Stewart said that his goal is to offer a convenient location with affordable goods. The store also gives customers who live near the Snellville-Loganville city limits the option to purchase some of the food items they enjoy at GoldenKrust Caribbean Bakery and Grill.

“Competitiveness and convenience are important.”

PJ’s Tropical Foods is located at 2054 Main St. across from Family Tree Garden Center.