Cass Café: An Oasis for Community and Sustainability in Montreal
Ever found yourself caught in the city's hustle, longing for a moment of peace and a great cup of coffee? Right in the heart of Montreal, something extraordinary is taking shape—Cass Café. But this isn’t just another coffee shop; it’s a space dedicated to community, sustainability, and genuine connection.
Meet Gabrielle Letein-Mathieu, a driven 25-year-old entrepreneur and tenant of Ralia Realty. Gabrielle is turning her lifelong dream into reality with the launch of Cass Café, her first business. Located on St. Laurent Boulevard, this conscious café will soon open its doors as part of Ralia Realty’s exciting redevelopment project opening this Fall.
Gabrielle's story is one of passion and purpose. Her journey, from operating a carbon-free coffee cart to founding Cass Café —a business deeply rooted in the values of being circular and conscious and fueled by a deep commitment to community and environmental stewardship.
The Journey
Gabrielle’s journey blends passion with purpose. With over 9 years in customer service, starting at Starbucks, she honed her skills and developed a deep love for coffee.
Her entrepreneurial spirit sparked after working at a local café in Gatineau, and her commitment to sustainability grew during a road trip across the country living in a van —a beloved 1990 Dodge named "Cass," which now inspires the warm atmosphere of Cass Café.
That transformative trip introduced her to the beauty of unconventional living and inspired Gabrielle to launch a carbon-free coffee cart, marking the start of her mission to create Cass Café - A circular and conscious cafe and community.
Cass Café: Where Community Meets Conscious Coffee
Cass Café is set to revolutionize Montreal’s coffee scene. It’s a warm, vegan haven where third-wave coffee meets a deep commitment to sustainability. Gabrielle’s background in Environmental Studies influences every detail of the café, from using fully compostable cups to sourcing coffee from Café Binocle, Quebec’s first 100% carbon-neutral certified café. At Cass Café, sustainability is more than a concept—it’s a way of life that will touch every aspect of the business.
But Cass Café is more than just a place to grab a coffee. It’s a vibrant community space where people come together to learn, connect, and embrace eco-conscious living. With events like documentary nights focused on sustainable living and guest talks from coffee growers and producers, the café aims to create stronger bonds within the community and promote a shared commitment to the environment.
In every cup served and every event hosted, Cass Café embodies Gabrielle’s vision of making a lasting positive impact on both the community and the planet. It’s not just about serving great coffee—it’s about creating a space where sustainability and community thrive together.
Dreams in Motion
For Gabrielle, Cass Café represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. She imagines it as your “third place”—a cozy retreat beyond home and work, where you can unwind, enjoy the calming ambiance of vinyl records spinning, and escape the city’s hustle. Gabrielle’s vision is simple yet profound: "I want it to feel like that first heavy snowfall in Montreal—quiet, serene, and you think, 'Wow, this is just perfect.'"
Support the Mission
Gabrielle needs your support to take the next step in her journey! If her mission resonates with you or if you’re inspired to support a passionate young entrepreneur, she would love for you to be part of her story. Gabrielle has launched a crowdfunding campaign with LaRuche Quebec to bring Cass Café to life. Her goal is to invest in compostable cups, a low-impact espresso machine, and eco-friendly furniture, but more importantly, to build a community that drives impact in Montreal. Join her in making something truly special!
Click here to donate or learn more about the crowdfunding.
Learn more about Ralia Realty’s Saint Laurent development, opening Fall 2024.
About Ralia Realty - we are sustainable Real Estate Developers that envision, operate and manage investments that prioritize people and the planet.