Inside Cat Town Cat Cafe on Opening Day!

Before Meow Parlour cat café opens in New York City next week (can’t wait!), I figured it was about time (more than about time!) you experienced opening day at Cat Town Café, the first cat café in the US! According to co-founder Adam Myatt, to date the café has adopted-out 43 cats with half a dozen in foster-to-adopt situations. Pretty impressive considering they’ve only been open two months!

We gave you a sneak peek into Cat Town to meet the cats before they opened, and now we’ll take you inside the café on OPENING DAY in case you – like me – haven’t been fortunate enough to visit yet.

First US CAT CAFE on opening day

From the outside looking in at Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, California. The first cat cafe in the US. (photo by Tom McElroy)

Our local roving reporter/architect Tom McElroy made the “trek” to Oakland from San Francisco for us (I hear it’s akin to someone from Manhattan going to Brooklyn?). On a side note, if you want to swoon over some pretty stunning homes, check out his handiwork on his website www.mcelroyarch.com.

We were also fortunate enough to have loyal IHC reader Rena Henderson make a follow-up trip a week later.

Waiting to get into first US cat cafe on opening day

Not too shabby, opening day visitors could enjoy a coffee while they waited. But it was all by appointment so mob scenes were avoided. (photo by Tom McElroy)

I loved hearing each of their perspectives. One from a man who’d grown up with cats but doesn’t currently have any, and another from a woman wh0’s married to an IHC  featured cat man and shares her home with several cats (one’s even named Kipper/Kip/Kippie –  like mine!).

So grab a nearby cat if there’s one handy and a cup of coffee (or tea) and prepare to take a trip to Cat Town Café!

First US Cat Cafe opens in California

Inside Cat Town Cafe – can you find LIL BUB? (photo by Rena Henderson)

I was surprised but happy to hear from Tom that the cats were more than a tad relaxed on their day in the public eye.  As he described it:

“The cats were all asleep and barely moving around, which is to be expected with felines. Would have been nice to see some running around but as they were mostly full grown, maybe they’d grown out of the race-around-phase? Most of the people there appeared to be locals. They seemed normal, no scrappy cat-lady-types 🙂

Sticker vending machine at Cat Town Cafe

How fun is this kitty sticker vending machine?! (photo by Tom McElroy)

It was very quiet inside the cat area, which is separated from the cafe area with only a certain number of people allowed at a time

I asked Adam about what happens at night. He said they have shades that are pulled down and velcroed at the bottom, but some cats manage to squeeze behind the shades. Only a few narrow windows are left uncovered for anyone can see into; it’s mostly a security issue but also to let the cats have peace.

First US Cat Cafe on Opening Day

Visitors waiting for their turn in the cat area. (photo by Tom McElroy)

One woman was in tears when she met one of the cats. She explained to me that she had an old ailing cat at home and was hesitant to adopt this particular 6 month old cat.

She said the Cat Town owners agreed it wouldn’t be a good idea (but she and I both agreed she should just do it – might be nice for both cats. I don’t know if she did it or not).

First US Cat Cafe opening day

The coffee bar at Cat Town Cafe (photo by Ted McElroy)

Of course I had to ask him about the coffee to which he replied, “I did not try the coffee.” Darn, I should have sent him a food and beverage stipend!

The following week, when Rena paid a visit a few of the cats seemed a bit more active:

“Cat Town is a lovely, brand-spanking-new place for people and cats to come together for play time and gentle getting-to-know-you time. When you walk in, there is a nice area for having coffee and pastries. You can take your coffee in when you visit the cats if it has a secure lid on it. Clearly, the cats come first here–as it should be.

Photo by Rena Henderson

Photo by Rena Henderson

Before describing the cats and their amazing space, I want to emphasize that the ultimate goal of Cat Town is adoption or fostering that can lead to an adoption. I was told that they had recently placed a 17-year-old cat in a foster home, so this is not just about the adorable kittens. Cat Town values senior citizens just as much.

Cat Town Cafe, first cat cafe in the United States

The rules of Cat Town – well done! (photo by Ted McElroy)

After you check in at the desk, you’re asked to use the hand sanitizer that they provide and to read the guidelines Essentially, respect the cats. Don’t let your kids chase the cats and pull tails, but not in those exact words. The cats are here not as an amusement. They are shelter cats here in the hope some kind, loving souls will want to give them good homes.

Cat Town just opened and the cats that were there had arrived only a few days earlier. A number of them, including huge orange tabby boy with sad eyes that I would have “catnapped” if I didn’t already have four at home, were still in the back area. I looked in on them and could see that they were calm but uncertain and needed more time to adapt to their surroundings.

I love the look on this cat's face, like he's trying REALLY HARD to figure out which road to take! (photo Rena Henderson)

I love the look on this cat’s face, he’s trying REALLY HARD to figure out which road to take! (photo Rena Henderson)

You’ll see in the photos that some of the cats were out and about and more than willing to play. Little miss gray and white (sorry, I forget names) was a hoot! Her favorite toy was a feather on a wand, and she leapt through the air nonstop. I’m not exaggerating when I say that she flew a few times!

Making a grand entrance - as a calico will do! (Photo by Rena Henderson)

Making a grand entrance – as a calico will do! (Photo by Rena Henderson)

The gray male in the photo with the stunning little calico is “Hank.” He took to “scenting” me by rubbing one my legs and he let me nuzzle him under the chin a few times. His favorite game was kicking the life out of any small, soft toy he could get his paws on. The adorable little calico was pretty daring and not at all afraid. Her fur was like silk!

There were also a few shy cats who stayed “under cover,” but poked their heads out periodically for a little lovin’!

Cats at Cat Town Cafe

Hank frolicking with his calico girl friend perhaps?!? (photo Rena Henderson)

As the photos show, the play equipment is fantastic, and for the humans the murals are beautiful! Note the Oakland Bay Bridge in the big mural. Just in case anyone is wondering where Oakland is, it’s just across the bay!

They’re always looking for volunteers. So if you’re in the area check out Cat Town at http://cattownoakland.org.

A craft table for the kids - i guess you have to account for short attention spans! (photo Ted McElroy)

A craft table for the kids – i guess you have to account for short attention spans! (photo Ted McElroy)

I hope you enjoyed your virtual trip to Cat Town Cafe! I can’t wait to visit Meow Parlour in the near future and tell you all about it! It will certainly be interesting to see how the two differ.

We already know from recent reports that the actual café in the NYC location will not be in the same building as the cats, but about 200 feet away – a bit of a bummer. But the kitties will be up for adoption and come from local rescue group Kitty Kind. From what I’ve seen, the space looks uber modern. Stay tuned!

Of course you have to have goodies to buy and take home to remember your trip at Cat Town! I could do with the Crazy Catlady towels though! Adam....!

Of course you have to have goodies to buy and take home to remember your trip at Cat Town! I could do with the Crazy Cat Lady towels though! Adam….!

Have any of you visited Cat Town?  If so, what was your favorite part? If not, do you plan to take a road trip and check it out?

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