Sugar, a black and gray tabby cat, basks in the warmth of a sunbeam streaming through a large window. On the other side of the window is busy Grand Avenue, but Sugar is safe and warm inside The Caffeinated Cat Cafe, a new small business in Grover Beach.
“I’ve been fostering kitties for quite a few years,” owner Jamie Pierce said. “I went to Hawaii and went into a cat cafe and light bulbs went on. I realized that I could totally do this, and that the Central Coast needs this.”
Cat cafes are lounges where cats roam freely while patrons enjoy a beverage. The rescued cats at The Caffeinated Cat Cafe are available for adoption.
“We work with [the] Cal Poly Cat Program and the Feline Network,” Pierce said.
The cafe allows customers to get to know potential pets or just decompress after a long day.
“I feel like [the cafe has] such a good atmosphere, and [is] such a good thing to bring to SLO [County],” employee Darianna Leon (‘24) said. “We definitely needed something like this.”
The Caffeinated Cat Cafe’s employees take care to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all the cats. The employees clean out litter boxes and teach patrons necessary etiquette, caring for the cats during their time between rescue and adoption.
“One of my first impressions [of The Caffeinated Cat Cafe] was that they treated the cats really nicely,” Lucy Anselm (‘25) said. “[The cat cafe] felt like a home for the cats.”
As well as cultivating a supportive environment for the cats, the staff also works to benefit the customers.
“I think my favorite part is probably interacting with everyone and hearing all about their cats and how they are involved with cats in general,” Leon said. “It’s super nice to hear everyone and their stories.”
As of January 31st, The Caffeinated Cat Cafe has facilitated 18 adoptions since opening in December.
“We usually have seven to ten kitties at a time,” Pierce said. “But, we’ve had adoptions at least once or twice a week.”
The Caffeinated Cat Cafe’s longest resident, Sugar, was rescued from the Santa Maria riverbed by the Feline Network.
“She was rescued with a litter of kittens, and her kittens have since been adopted, but she’s still available,” Pierce said.
Sugar is one of many playful felines at the cafe, and her friendly demeanor charms many customers.
“All the cats were so adorable, but Sugar was the most awake, playful, and present when we were there,” Anselm said.
By giving patrons the opportunity to get to know the cats in a comfortable environment, The Caffeinated Cat Cafe opens the door to frequent adoptions.
“I’m really happy we have this because a special part of adopting cats is getting to see their personalities,” Anselm said. “Getting to spend an hour with a cat is really special.”
Overall, The Caffeinated Cat Cafe serves as a bridge between the cats’ rescues and forever homes, while also providing a comfortable space for cat lovers in the community to enjoy.
