SPOKANE, Wash. — A cat café is taking another step toward opening its doors in Spokane.
Kitty Cantina Spokane has started a Kickstarter campaign aimed at raising $12,500 to open the business. It has since raised more than $4,000.
The project will only be funded if it reaches its Kickstarter goal by Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 8:30 p.m. Otherwise, all of the money is lost.
Owners Justyn Cozza and his wife Torri hope to open the café for Spokane customers to enjoy a beverage while spending time with cats. They were inspired by cat cafes in the Seattle and Portland areas. The business would be the first of its kind in Spokane.
The Cozzas told KREM in April that they are hoping to open the cantina in North Spokane, and were waiting on additional funding and the green light from the health department.
Adoptions would take place at Kitty Cantina, with all fees going directly to the partner shelter Spokanimal. Cats would be spayed and neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and adoption-ready.
The café also hopes to offer drip and cold brew coffee, tea, blended drinks, red-bull and Lotus, and several drink options for kids, along with baked goods, sandwiches and soups. Visitors who are 21 and older would also be able to enjoy a selection of beer, wine and cider.
An area called the Kitty Lounge would offer a place for cats to roam free without the presence of cages. An on-site caretaker would also be available to answer questions and keep up with cleaning.
The owners said a small admission fee would buy time to mingle with the cats. Six dollars would get you 50 minutes, plus a $2 credit toward a house-made drink or $1 credit toward any alcoholic beverage.
All funds raised through Kickstarter will be put toward the cats’ living space, starting with a buildout, the Cozzas said. They have met their baseline requirements to open the doors but are still without a space for the cats right now.
Those who donate will receive different perks depending on the amount, including shirts, stickers, gift cards and kitty dates.
There is no word yet on when the shop might open.