Purrfectly Unique: Cat Cafe in NYC

Lilli
Welcome to the Cat Cafe, a great pop-up store in NYC, courtesy of Purina.
Passersby seemed to be enamored by the cats but not shocked but hey - it's New york!
My Cat'ochino was feline-icious!
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Diane Lilli
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Purina One has opened a Cafe that is cat friendly - and offers some adorable felines looking for a home. the North Shore Animal League rescue group is loaning some of their cats to the pop-up cafe, and as of tonight, one had been spoken for by a visiting cat-lover.
The Cat Cafe was a quirky, fun, cat-filled coffee spot filled with many adorable cats - and offering some outrageously good coffee.
My trip into NYC started out at Eataly and though it was work, believe me: this was fun. But throughout the day, during my meetings and the incredible lunch of hand-made Piselli ravioli, stuffed with ricotta (made on premises) and spring peas, I kept imagining a cafe filled with cats - and how I could hog a few and get in some cat-snuggles before heading back to Jersey on the train.
Purina dreamed up this fantastic pop-up store, which sits on Bowery and is the scene of other cool pop-ups I have visited.
The cats were kept in a lovely, sort of art-deco inspired great room, with huge windows and a special kids' corner.
Their colors were as varied as their personalities.
The white fluffy feline climbed up a steep ramp to the ceiling then came flying down - too fast to photograph.
A frisky black cat, much like my own cat Coco, followed me around for a bit and let me pick her up.
Some cats lounged on their velvet chairs or printed couches, snuggled up into the pillows. Others wandered, and a few made the ledge in front of the sidewalk windows their home base, attracting quite a few passersby who just couldn't resist a little smile, finger wagging and wave.
The cafe really did offer coffee - and I went for a "Cat'achino", which two baristas made for me with skim milk, as requested, and then topped off with a wonderful hand-drawn (in foam) cat, whiskers and all.
The cats are all from a local shelter, and may be adopted.
Though yesterday's cat adventure was only open for the press, Purina is keeping this pop up store open through Sunday.
This is a free visit, and you are welcome to take your entire family.
Purina One had some spokespeople on hand yesterday, who told me that there will be great speakers throughout the weekend at the pop-up store, along with the cats.
In Europe, cat cafes are starting to open. In London, one cat cafe, Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium, reports they are doing brisk business, charging $8 for a 2-hour session in the cafe (with coffee or tea of course) among cats. Japan also has a few of these cat-friendly sites as well. And, in Paris you will often see pet owners happily sitting with their dogs or other pets in cafes and restaurants.
Here is the official line up - but you know with cats, there will be surprises!

Ways to Confirm Cat Health
Deb Greco - Purina Veterinarian
FRIDAY 4.25 @ 11:30 A.M.
Health and Communication
Dr. Suzanne Hetts - Cat Behaviorist
FRIDAY 4.25 @ 5:30 P.M.
Cat-friendly Interior Design
Linda Griggs - Artist
SATURDAY 4.26 @ 11:30 A.M.
The Benefits of Adopting a Cat
Christina Travalja - Shelter Director
Introducing a New Cat to Your Home
Dorit Shevach-Shani - Feline Behaviorist
SATURDAY 4.26 @ 5:30 P.M.
Capturing the Signs of Health
Valerie Shaff - Photographer
SUNDAY 4.27, ALL DAY
Cat Adoption Event
North Shore Animal League


Cat Cafe - from Purina One
168 Bowery
NYC NY