DULUTH — Wired Whiskers coffee shop, Duluth's first cat cafe, will open this spring, with adoptable cats from Animal Allies Humane Society, a local nonprofit shelter.
In the former Endion Square Children's Center building, 1823 E. Superior St., the new business will cater to coffee lovers, and help find homes for rescue cats by providing a place for humans and adoptable cats to bond. About 15 cats will lounge in a space separated from the cafe.
For a small fee, patrons may head to the back through a double-locked door into the cat lounge.
"I've been calling it the 'Barbie Dream House for cats,'" coffee shop owner Misha Smith said. "These cats are going to be living here full time."
Customers who want to adopt cats in the cafe will contact Animal Allies, pay a holding fee, and complete an application before picking up the cat.
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Smith approached Animal Allies about the partnership.
"We were thrilled," said Animal Allies humane education manager Nicole Facciotto. "Expanding our reach and having adoptable pets at multiple locations has been a goal of ours."
Duluth needs more homes for cats. Birth rates had spiked when spay and neuter clinics closed during the pandemic. Even though the clinics have reopened, shelters still feel the aftermath. Last year, 980 cats were adopted from Animal Allies.
Wired Whiskers also partnered with Kitty Town Coffee, a small business in Pensylvania where every bag of coffee sold feeds a rescue cat for a week.
Whether or not customers want to hang out with cats, Smith said, Wired Whiskers will serve as a destination neighborhood coffee shop. A full coffee menu features Kitty Town Coffee, teas, smoothies, beer and wine in addition to bagels, muffins and croissants from Duluth's Positively 3rd Street Bakery.
Planned special events include an animal book club, yoga with cats, "paint your pet" classes, wine tastings and a live harpist performance.
"This whole community has just rallied around this concept," Smith said.
Smith grew up on a hobby farm an hour west of the Twin Cities. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications with a minor in Asian languages and literature from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Over the past eight years, she's worked in cybersecurity, after starting her career in sales and marketing.
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Her love for felines first formed while volunteering for Pet Haven, a foster-based animal rescue nonprofit in Minneapolis. That's when she realized her passion for cats. "My husband would call it my second full-time job," Smith said. "This is what it looks and feels like when you really, really, truly care about what you're doing."
Two years ago, she and her husband moved to Duluth after he graduated from nursing school. She was working remotely and started doing market research for her cat cafe business idea. She knew it was the right time and fit to take a leap and start her own business. She joined a Facebook group called Future Cat Cafe Owners.
With help from the Entrepreneur Fund, Smith began networking at professional business conferences, developed a 60-page business plan and bought a building in November that had served as a day care center. To become a coffee shop, the building needed extensive renovations. Crews removed walls and installed new floors and ceilings.
Smith's father, a semi-retired general contractor, works with Knutson Custom Construction on the job; her mother and sister, a graphic designer and marketer, also help. With her family's support, Smith's dream is coming to life.
The new space will have nature-inspired features, like earth-toned decor, she said. The furniture will feel soft and warm. Upon entering, guests will order at the counter and sit in a cozy fireplace area fit for up to 66 people. Dog-friendly seating for up to 48 people is available on the outdoor patio. An accessible entrance is on the side of the building.
Staff will take on a dual role: mostly working as baristas but also part-time cat caretakers. There are many volunteering opportunities as well.
"We hope with another outlet/space for cats, we'll be able to help find families for our furry friends even faster," Facciotto said. "A cat cafe is such a fun way to show off individual cats' personalities while also adding a great new business to Duluth."
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