About us
This is what dreams are made of…
Ran by husband and wife duo, Kate and Gino; Sass is an independent, specialty coffee house and wellbeing studio, nestled amongst the National Trust moorland of Marsden, West Yorkshire.
It all began with an idea. With a love for brunch, coffee and great customer service, the ‘Sass masterplan’ has been in development for over 10 years… Initially looking at a Bed and Breakfast in a quaint Lake District village, we’ve always longed of working in hospitality - together. When Kate qualified as a Yoga Teacher, we wanted to somehow incorporate this into the plan - and so the idea of a Coffee House and Studio came to fruition.
Following several years of looking at locations and venues, fast forward to 2021 - mid-pandemic - and after making the huge decision to leave corporate employment, Kate received a message about an old garage in Marsden. Trying not to get our hopes up, we met with Steve from S B Homes to share our thoughts, and fathom out if our idea would work. In just a few months, designs were agreed, Gino left his corporate job and there was one focus - to finally make our big dream come true!
Our passion for health, wellbeing and mood-boosting environments, has influenced what we’ve created at Sass. We love food, coffee and feel-good movement, but we love people even more. The aim for our place is to ensure that when you leave us, you feel even better than when you arrived!
“Our aim is to ensure that when you leave us, you feel even better than when you arrived!”
Meet Kate
A self-confessed movement geek, lover of cake and a crazy cat lady, since qualifying as a Yoga Teacher, my ONE dream has been to have my own studio space. A place where I can plan different classes with amazing teachers, host workshops, retreats and events whenever I wish , whilst creating a safe space where my community can gather and move well.
Moving to the area five years ago, I just wanted to be known as a Yoga Teacher; that much now is true but having our own, beautiful space has got me excited about utilising my previous career experience in Event Management, Marketing and Communications. I want Sass to be a hub not just for my existing Yoga community, but for residents and visitors of the local area. Find out more about my teaching style and the classes and events I offer.
When I’m not teaching or waiting tables, you’ll find me outside in the fresh air, enjoying brunch with friends or snuggled up at home with our three cats.
Meet Gino
Bringing the ‘Sass’ to Sass, our business name is courtesy of my Italian surname Sassanelli. Half Italian, fully northern, I’m the coffee lover, menu creator and chief cleaner!
I grew up in pubs in the 80’s and 90’s when pubs were the heart of the community and often a home away from home. I want Sass to be somewhere people feel just as comfortable as they would at home, and of course because the coffee and food are awesome! My working life has been varied, taking me into different sectors; however, due to my earlier years, I’ve always had a yearning to return to hospitality some day.
I knew that day had arrived when Kate and I first met with Steve and Hannah from SB Homes and stepped into the old garage.
Now we get to fulfil our dream of running our own coffee house and wellbeing space. We hope our enthusiasm and love for what we’ve created here at Sass is clear to see whenever you choose to spend time with us.
If I’m not behind the coffee machine, you’ll find me exploring the hills, either on foot or two wheels.
