Snuggled into a plush green armchair and surrounded by doting visitors, Darla the cat was having a wonderful Wednesday morning.
Darla, a 4-year-old tabby, was one of eight adoptable cats at Valley Junction's new cat cafe. Coffee Cats, located at 312 Fifth St., opened Tuesday.
"It was busy; we had a lot of folks coming in very excited about the cats," said Coffee Cats owner Mary Jankowski, wearing a mask with cartoon cats over her face. There have already been two adoptions from the cafe.
Cat cafes originated in Taiwan and have grown in popularity in the United States in recent years. The business model allows guests to relax, have a cup of coffee and cuddle some kittens — all for a fee.
Though other cat cafes have been proposed in Iowa, Jankowski believes Coffee Cats is the first to open in the state. Cats lounge in the shop's bay window, watching passersby and napping.
Inside, the business is split down the middle, with one room devoted to visiting the cats and another designated for food service. The "cat lounge" is adorned with shelves, boxes and toys. Gentle music plays from a television mounted on the wall. Cats roam freely through the room, some demanding attention while others nap on out-of-reach ledges.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa partners with Coffee Cats to fill the cat lounge and process adoptions. Jankowski said the ARL selects cats who will be comfortable in a high-stress environment with other cats and a steady stream of new visitors.
Though all the cats are up for adoption, the cat lounge isn't just for potential adopters. Jankowski says the cafe has drawn all kinds of cat lovers, from those who can't adopt due to allergies or apartment restrictions to people who already have several furry friends at home.
On Wednesday morning, the lounge was bustling with activity. A group of tweens attending Mara Welk's 12th birthday party waved toys and crouched to talk with the cats, their drinks from the cafe forgotten in the corner.
The partygoers' affections were split between Darla, the cuddly tabby, and Sampson, a playful tuxedo cat with one black ear.
"They never want to leave," said Mara's mom, Renee Welk.
Visitors pay $10 for an hour in the cat lounge. Children under 15 are welcome with adult supervision. Entrance is free for kids 4 and younger.
Due to COVID-19, Jankowski has imposed some additional restrictions on visiting. Only eight people may be in the cat lounge at once — six slots for people who made a reservation online, and two for walk-ins. Visitors are required to wear masks.
There is a low risk of contracting COVID-19 from an animal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"A small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19," the CDC's website says, adding, "Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low."
The adjoining coffee shop is separate from the cat lounge. Iowa health regulations prohibit animals in food establishments, including coffee shops. Instead, the cafe area has windows looking into the adjacent cat lounge.
A spacious kitchen supplies a full menu of espresso drinks, including some cat-themed specials, like the "Calico," a white- and dark-chocolate mocha. The cafe also sells pastries from One Sweet Kitchen and Pies by Lana.
Visitors can access the coffee shop without entering the cat lounge or paying the entrance fee.
Jankowski said she decided to open Coffee Cats after retiring from 35 years as a mental health counselor. A cat-lover herself, she was intrigued by the idea of cat cafes and decided to try her hand at the business. She also hopes Coffee Cats can provide a space for her daughter, Emily, who has autism.
"Regular work for her is very difficult," Jankowski explained. "At some point, I'm hoping that she and maybe some other special needs adults can come in and help out."
Katie Akin is a retail reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 515-284-8041. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.
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Coffee Cats
Location: 312 Fifth St., West Des Moines
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
To make a reservation, visit Coffee Cats online at www.coffeecatscafe.com.
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