*People* Arguably Carshalton’s most scenic coffee shop, we stopped off to chat with owner Wayne and find out why the cafe in The Grove park is called Sassis. What does it even mean? Well, let’s find out.
Coffee-aficionado Wayne trained as an electrician, but at the young age of just 20, his passion for coffee led him to start up his own coffee shop. This was way back in 2005. He rented an old flower shop near Carshalton station but was struggling to think of a name for his new venture.
Wayne had been very close to his dad, pictured below, but Stephan had passed away just 3 years earlier in 2002. Now was the chance for Wayne to honour him.
Sitting with his colleague at a computer, inspiration struck. Firstly he took the initials of his father’s name, Stephan Alan Spiller, but he wasn’t pleased with how Sas’s read. Then he struck on the idea of Sassis – perfect, he thought, and sounds Italian too…
The picture below, shows Wayne with his father playing pool in Spain, and who, according to Wayne, always wore bright neon clothing – that was the inspiration behind the bright yellow you see on the Sassis cups! It also helps that it’s Wayne’s favourite colour.
Finally, we asked some quick-fire questions:
What’s the most popular drink at Sassis? “Flat White”
What’s the most popular food? “We’re renowned for our Panini’s!” chips in Christina, Wayne’s wife. “…with Chicken, bacon and cheese. 100%” says Wayne.
What’s those big flower things outside? “We salvaged those from the council’s covid road closures, and my mum Carol planted them all up”
When’s the new crazy golf being installed? “Three to four weeks’ time”
What’s your favourite thing about Carshalton? “Hmmm… the ponds and the big cathedral!”
Wayne is sad that his dad, Stephan never saw the coffee shop named in his honour, but I think he’d be very proud of what he’s achieved, don’t you?
🗝️ Is the old park cafe haunted? When staff lock up each night they say how eerie it feels. Some say it could have been an old slaughterhouse. It once had two chimneys, was it perhaps two small labourers’ cottages?
© Words and Pics Secret Carshalton 2022. Old pics courtesy of Wayne Spiller.
For details on visiting Sassis please click here
This is a very exceptional café
Ps. My uncle owns it
I’ve now moved to Devon and this is the only thing I miss is the wonderful coffee and Panini‘s with my friends and a good old chat with Wayne, who always makes you feel so welcome