Montreal-born entrepreneur Sacha Jeffay, founder of Montreal Style Bagels, shares her journey from Canada to the Dartington Estate, her passion for bagels, and what it’s been like running a business in this unique environment for the past two years.
“Bagels are more than just food in Montreal – they’re woven into the social fabric of the city. You’ll often find people gathering with friends and family, sharing bagels during special occasions. It’s a tradition that’s dear to my heart,” says Sacha. “Growing up in Montreal, I was raised on these bagels, and I’m proud to bring this authentic Canadian experience to the Dartington Estate.”
Sacha’s passion for bagels turned into a business idea during lockdown. With Canadian expats unable to return home to Montreal, she decided to offer a taste of home in the UK.
“I launched Montreal Style Bagels in 2020, during the pandemic, as a way to reconnect Canadian expats with their roots. After spending countless hours perfecting my recipe to recreate the chewy, slightly sweet Montreal-style bagel, I was soon producing 1,000 bagels a week from my home kitchen, shipping them across the UK. By 2022, it was clear we needed more space.”
As a long-time resident of Dartington, Sacha was drawn to the estate’s focus on community and sustainable living. “The ethos of the Dartington Estate resonated with me. We could have set up shop on an industrial estate, but being here, surrounded by such natural beauty, has been very special. Our bakery is bright and open, with stunning views, and that atmosphere is something both we and our customers enjoy daily.”
Located at Studio 45 on the Dartington Estate, Montreal Style Bagels offers an immersive experience where visitors can watch the bakers in action, eat-in and even join bagel-making workshops. “We want people to engage with the process – to see how these iconic bagels are made and to enjoy the smells of the bakery. Our workshops are a great way for people to recreate the experience themselves.”
Since moving to Dartington Estate, Sacha’s team has expanded to 6-8 staff members. “Our team’s wellbeing is central to what we do, and I believe the location plays a huge part in that. Staff enjoy bagel lunches, breaks in the estate’s tranquil gardens, plus the tenant perks of a free Trust membership, which includes access to the Grade II Listed gardens, discounts on site, and more. It’s a place where work feels fulfilling in every sense.”
Montreal Style Bagels has flourished in its new home, recently celebrating two years on the estate. “Our dream of creating a bakery-café experience has come to life here. The Trust has been so supportive. Originally, we shared the space with another tenant, but as our business grew, we were able to take over the full space. The flexibility and support from the Dartington Trust have been invaluable.”
Sacha has also embraced the collaborative spirit of the estate. “There’s a real sense of community among the tenants here. For instance, we’ve partnered with fellow tenant RegenWorks to offer meal deals for their co-working members. We’ve even created a unique ‘Dartington Bagel,’ using wheat grown and milled right here on the estate. Opportunities like this are what make Dartington special.”
The sense of community extends beyond business partnerships. “There are regular tenant breakfasts and networking events, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. It’s a beautiful, inspiring place to work, and I’m excited about the future here. We’d love to see more businesses join and continue to build Dartington as both a fantastic visitor destination and a thriving business hub.”
Robert Fedder, interim CEO of Dartington Trust, comments:
“We’re thrilled to see Sacha and her team at Montreal Style Bagels thriving on the estate. They’re a fantastic example of the kind of business we love to support, and we’re excited to see more local entrepreneurs consider Dartington as their next step. Our team is here to assist in any transition, and we offer a wide range of commercial let options, from historic buildings to modern studios, to suit diverse needs.”
For more information about tenancy opportunities on the Dartington Estate, email: tenantenquiries@dartington.org Or make an initial online enquiry here: Commercial property enquiry – Dartington Trust
