Karen Gudal-Johnson, the co-owner of the business at 513 E. Fifth St. in Dayton’s St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood, says it is pretty easy and so is the concept.
>> Dayton first cat cafe opened
“It is half coffee house and half cat rescue,” she said of the business. “We have a full espresso bar, teas and other assorted beverages and bakery items.”
Cats are in a toy-filled habitat that can be viewed through glass. Customers can also visit and play with them in their room.
>> Meet Gem City Catfe’s first tenants
“We recommend a reservation, but we do take walk-ins,” Gudal-Johnson said. “We are doing this because it is good for cats and it is good for people.”
🐱 HOW DO I SEE THE CATS?
Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe
Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe
There is a $10 fee to visit the cats. The fee is $5 for members. An annual membership is $25.
Visit can be booked in person, by phone at 937-949-9170 or online on Gem City Catfe's website.
Johnson said a maximum of 12 people can be in the cat room at once. That’s a one-to-one person-to-cat ratio.
The room typically has 12 cats, three of which are permanent residents.
🐱 HOW TO GO
Where: Gem City Catfe, 513 E. Fifth St., Dayton
Info: Website | Facebook | IG | Twitter | Pinterest
🐱 WHEN IS THE CATFE OPEN?
The coffee shop and adoption center is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
>> Photos of the Gem City Cat Catfe
OTHER CATTY CAFES
🐱 StreetCats, a volunteer-driven organization, is planning to open a "cat cafe" at 14 N. Third St. in downtown Fairborn this January.
>> MORE: Fairborn getting its very own cat cafe
The cafe/cat resource center is part of a tactical approach between the city and several agencies to address the community’s stray and homeless cat population.
It will allow people a chance to play with cats, Fairborn City Manager Rob Anderson said in the recent Facebook Live message he delivered while covered in purring cats and kittens.
🐱 Kitty Brew Cafe in Mason is partnering with Animal Friends Humane Society to find homes for cats.
Where: Kitty Brew Cafe, 6011 Tylersville Road, Mason
Info: Website | Facebook | IG | Twitter | Pinterest
Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe
Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe
Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe
Credit: Photo: Gem City Catfe
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