In the guts of downtown Watkinsville lies a model new sanctuary for cat fanatics, college students and cafe-goers alike. Entangled Cat Cafe opened its doorways on Sunday, March 23, and serves locals who’ve a ardour for each felines and meals. Enter via the doorways of 6 Court St., and one will likely be met with a plexiglass playroom chock-full of vibrant cat toys, a homey fire, comfy seating and, in fact, cats.
The cafe’s menu options espresso drinks and small bites with quirky cat puns, such because the “Catpurrcino,” “Yorgurt Purrfait” and “Calico Cookies.”
The thought for a restaurant with adoptable cats roaming about shouldn’t be a novel idea. However, Entangled is the primary of its form within the Athens space. What initiated as an internet store and a dream for proprietor Kristy Towler quickly got here to fruition within the type of a brick and mortar model of her retailer.
“I just kept thinking, how can I play with cats all the time? Then I started to hear about cat cafes,” Towler stated. “I’m just such a cat lover. That’s the dream job.”
She launched Entangled as an internet store in 2020 to attach cataholics with merchandise, domestically sourced cat-themed merchandise and delicacies, in addition to cats available for adoption in Athens and Watkinsville. Entangled companions with each the Athens Area Humane Society and the Circle of Friends Animal Society to help furry buddies in want.
The cats who occupy Entangled are rigorously chosen from the Humane Society and are available for adoption by cafe patrons. In truth, solely someday after opening, Entangled’s first kitten, Jellybean, was adopted.
“The purpose of [Entangled] is to help cats find homes,” Towler stated. “It breaks my heart to think about cats not having their own forever family and getting that love and affection.”
Aside from adoptions, a share of gross sales from Entangled’s in-store merchandise, equivalent to its “charCATerie” boards and Fancy Feline Candles, go to Circle of Friends.
Entangled has a e-newsletter, market, cat playroom and web site. Towler plans to develop her e-commerce retailer and finally add a subscription field to her repertoire. Eventually, she plans to embark on an altruistic franchising endeavor for Entangled, and develop all through the state of Georgia. Entangled Cat Cafe brings a contact of feline friendliness to the city of Watkinsville, supplying guests with countless cat cuddles and engaging treats for a worthy trigger.
“We want to be entangled with the community,” Towler stated.
