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07
Sept
The coffee shop bringing a taste of Down Under to Harrogate
Harrogate may be lacking sun, sea and sand, but The Saints coffee shop is bringing a taste of the Gold Coast lifestyle to the town.
Owner Kat Rickert, who bought the St Winifred’s Avenue site in January, has recently rebranded the former Brew Bar unit and added a taste of home.
She says:
I was born in Perth, but I was raised in Queensland. I then spent a lot of time in Sydney before moving here 13 years ago.
The Stray Ferret reported on the makeover in August. On Monday last week (September 2) the new signs went up.
Ms Rickert told the Stray Ferret she wanted the café to be “like the ones I grew up in”, adding:
In Australia, they’re very family-friendly and dog-friendly – I wanted it to be like that. I also just wanted to make it a bit more me with the colours.
It’s a place for the community that is focussed on good quality food, brunches and coffee.
The café’s previous name caused confusion, Ms Rickert said, as some people were unsure whether the main offering was coffee or beer. The new name simply reflects the fact that it is located in an area of Harrogate known as The Saints for the proliferation of streets named after saints.
This was another reason for the rebrand.
It is no secret that Aussies feel their coffee is better than here in Britain, which Ms Rickert attributes to “an appreciation for speciality coffee”. She adds:
I don’t think there used to be the same appreciation for speciality coffee. When I arrived, I thought, ‘wow, we’re coffee snobs’, but British coffee has definitely got so much better now.
I really care about how the coffee is sourced and made. I’m using two local roasteries for our beans; one is based in Barnard Castle, which has done me a blend that is slightly chocolatey.
The other is a fruitier blend, which one comes from a Manchester roastery and tasted delicious.
Ms Rickert added she has spent “six figures” on the purchase of the café and the revamp.
The Saints has a new menu, she told the Stray Ferret, adding people can expect a “mix of Australian classics”.
This includes folded and creamy scrambled eggs, which Ms Rickert said is a more Australian way of making them, as well as homemade Anzac biscuits made from oats, golden syrup and desiccated coconut.
In addition, the café offers ricotta pancakes, nourish bowls, and Australian friands, which are similar to muffins but are made from egg whites and almond flour.
We have a wall of Aussie and Kiwi snacks and drinks. We have also expanded the outdoor space and decking area, and added in olive trees and greenery.
I have rearranged the table layout too because I wanted to make a space for people to be able to chat.
The wall of snacks from Australia and New Zealand.
The Saints offers vegan and gluten free options, Ms Ricket said, adding she would also welcome ideas on how the space can be used within the community.
“Everyone is welcome here – it’s not pretentious”, she added.
I think what makes us different is the friendly atmosphere – people talk about that a lot. People always feel welcome and see it as a place they can relax.
We’ve invested a lot in coffee equipment, so I also hope people see a consistency in the coffee. I’d like people to be blown away with good quality coffee and food, without it being super fancy.
The expanded outdoor seating area.
The Saints may not be able to serve up the Australian sun, but people can look forward to savoury and sweet brunch plates, baked goods and a range of coffee and teas.
It is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 7.45am until 4pm.
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