Starting Friday, you can cuddle with an adorable, adoptable cat while sipping coffee at Scruffy's Cafe, Knoxville's first cat cafe.
Emily Deas, co-owner of the shop, told Knox News that the new venture isn't just about the cute kittens. It's also about the customer experience — something she and her partners, Talisa Cantrell and William Ridenour, have had in mind since they first decided to open the cafe.
"When Talisa and I talked, we had the exact same vision of animals coming first and being this positive light in the community," Deas said.
The two owners are passionate about mental health and want the cafe to be a safe place for cats and visitors. Deas plans to include resources in the cafe that promote mental health awareness, which she believes is more important now than ever.
"We're putting together all of these mental health resources for people who, whatever their problem is, they can come in there and they can find help," Deas said. "That's why we opened up during the pandemic, is because it's needed right now. The world is really crazy, and there's so much tension."
Saving cats and people
Deas and her business partners have worked to make Scruffy's a home for cats and customers alike.
The cafe's cats are provided by Happy Paws Kitten Rescue, a nonprofit for adoptions. Cats rescued by the organization are usually adopted at events at local pet stores, but Deas said that traveling can stress cats, which causes them to not act like their normal selves.
"We're really hoping that having the cat cafe is going to help out cats that have been in Happy Paws's foster network for a really long time because they'll finally have this place to casually and comfortably meet people," Deas said.
Cats of all ages are already roaming around their new home at Scruffy's, but Deas is planning to add additional older cats so they can find their forever homes with cafe customers. All adoption proceeds go to Happy Paws to help fund their rescue initiative.
Scruffy's is encouraging customers to use #whatrescuesyou on their posts to support their mission of destigmatizing mental illness and rescuing cats.
How it works
Scruffy's will host a grand opening 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday with special photo opportunities, a raffle and surprises at its location in the historic Fourth & Gill neighborhood at 1015 N. Broadway. There are some things visitors need to know before going, though.
It's important to book sessions online because COVID-19 has put limitations on the number of people allowed to visit Scruffy's. For now, only 14 customers are allowed at once, so Deas explained that booking ahead is the best way to ensure you get to play with the cats. There are always enough cats to go around whether you go alone or with friends.
Customers are charged a "cover" when they come in to help pay for all the things the cats need. On weekdays, it's $10, and on weekends, the price is $12.
Pre-packaged snacks are available until it's safe to have treats from local bakeries, but Deas said that customers can expect a full drink selection. The cafe is separated from the cats by a door in case customers want to enjoy their food and drinks away from their home, and it also keeps sneaky cats from running out the front door. In the cat room, you can get comfortable on the couches or on the floor curled up with a blanket.
For more information about reservations and adoptions, check out scruffyscafeknox.com and the cafe's Facebook page.
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June 04, 2020 at 04:04PM
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Scruffy's Cafe, Knoxville's first cat cafe, is a haven for adoptable cats and stressed humans - Knoxville News Sentinel
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