If you've ever dreamed of lounging out at a cafe while hanging out with your cat, you're in luck. San Fransisco is launching its first permanent cat cafe.
KitTea, the first shop of its kind, is inviting cats to teatime at its new café that will be designed to be comfortable and safe for cat lovers.
Shift Design Studio revealed a mockup design of the cat café that features separate spaces that will allow tea consumers to sip safely without being clawed or bothered by the felines. There won't be any hair balls in the tea thanks to the health code-required division that separates the "cat lounge" side of the space from the teahouse via a partition that features a wall-mounted cat track. Visitors can always bring their tea along with them to the cat side on their own accord.
The plans include a "Cat Zen Retreat" and private cat quarters for felines who seek quiet time, as well as a "peek-a-boo" section with transparent panes so café consumers can watch the more social cats. A cat play display area with a window to the outside will allow pedestrians to see and hopefully adopt the cats.
About 10-12 kittens and older cats will be available for adoption. The cats will come from local rescue centers and animal control, and will be up to date on their vaccinations.
If you aren't looking to take home a cat after tea, the café will at least provide a unique experience that could offer an opportunity to meet other cat lovers.
"Bonding over cats gives you something to chat about," KitTea founder Courtney Hatt says, "and will be a great way for people to meet each other."
The shop will serve a monthly custom blend tea along with other varieties. Pastries, sandwiches, salads and cat treats will be provided from local vendors.
The mockup designs were created with Photoshop and show clipped-out photos of cats chilling out against a cartoon-like background that shows the table seating section for humans and the cat lounge portions.
KitTea singed a five-year lease in San Francisco's Hayes Valley neighborhood. Located at 96 Gough St., founder Courtney Hatt says she chose the space because of its central location that is accessible by public transportation.
Construction continues at the cattery, but KitTea plans to open its doors for both species in a few months. It joins a trend across the world of uniting cat lovers and felines in a relaxing, commercial setting.
