Meet Jim & Sue Kass, husband & wife, owners of Barifot Mountain Photo & North Lake Tahoe locals.
Jim and Sue grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois and met in the 4th grade. In elementary school, Jim often teased Sue “Osborne”…little did they know love (& marriage) would come many years later.
After graduating high school, Jim studied Forestry at Colorado State College and Sue continued her life in Illinois. Both were eventually married, to other partners, and Sue had two children and Jim had one.
In addition to raising her family, Sue spent over 20 years at Lawrence Brothers Hardware, in Sterling, IL, where she worked her way up from factory/office staff to a successful production planner.
In 1974, Jim fulfilled his lifelong dream by moving west to Squaw Valley, joining his older brother Walt in his new business venture, Barifot Mountain Photo (named after his Saint Bernard “Bari” and photo or “fot”). Barifot, also known by Squaw Valley Posters, was started in the basement of their family home but has moved across Tahoe City over its many years in business.
It wasn’t until 1998 that Jim and Sue’s paths crossed again when Jim was in Park Ridge visiting a friend…and they both were single. In 1999, their relationship blossomed over Memorial Day weekend, with the help of some margaritas. They continued a long distance relationship until 2004 when they were married and moved “home” to Squaw Valley to run Barifot together.
Jim and Sue have loved their “mountain” life at Barifot because it has allowed them to work together, serve their community and truly live in a beautiful photo.
When not working, which is rare, they enjoy their outdoor life at the Lake, skiing or hiking in the Sierras, dining at Za’s or the Tahoe Blue Agave, visiting with family (especially Sue’s 5 grandkids) or just spending time with each other.
After 44 years of business, Barifot Mountain Photo is closing its Tahoe City doors on January 31, but don’t worry Jim & Sue will be moving their sublimation equipment back to where it all began, in the basement of their Squaw Valley home, and operating their website: http://barifotphoto.com.
They look forward to their next chapter of traveling the country to see family, focusing on photography and enjoying more of the countless recreation opportunities around Lake Tahoe.
Stop by Barifot Mountain photo before Tuesday, January 31st for 50 percent off storewide merchandise and to give Jim and Sue a BIG hug and thank them for their service to Tahoe City. We will definitely miss these smiling faces in downtown!