BaristaCats is a jewel of an idea, with tons of potential. I like the spirit of the people running it, and want to encourage the continuation of the business. But I have a few suggestions.
1. The kitties I met during my visit did not seem amenable to interacting with me. Some of them liked the dangly-toy I brought with me, and that's fine -- not every kitty warms up to strange hoomans right away. However, all the cats I met -- even the three (?) that were just added that day -- seem singularly adapted to your space, to each other (hisses and growls notwithstanding) and to the regular visitors. I guess it's sort of like staging a house for sale -- you have to get potential buyers/adopters to envision the cat as part of their lives in their homes. Perhaps have the Humane Society swap out the cats from time to time, so that the ones you have don't think of the shop as "home," and screen for more gregarious felines. (I'm a bit concerned about Panini. Is she getting enough to eat? Maybe she's just naturally skinny.)
2. The space is quite unique, and you make interesting use of an unusual "vintage" building. The darkened room with blue lights is a very relaxing setting for hoomans, and I guess the kitties like it, too. I'd suggest investing in leather furniture, and ensuring that each seating space has a table space on which to set beverages.
3. Speaking of beverages: In the summer, you need to increase your offering of cold drinks. Bottled tea, sweetened and unsweetened, would be welcome; or, you could brew a batch of black iced tea and a batch of decaffeinated green iced tea. Also, at the time I was there, there was no food offered, other than a bowl of what looked like granola bars. Baked goods are featured prominently on the website, and I would have liked that. I ended up getting a water with an unfortunate and unappetizing brand name.
I don't think I'll be back, because I don't think my cat-to-be is there. But I'd love for this business to flourish, and with time and experience, I think it will. read more