By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
There’s a mew place in Bowling Green to get a coffee, baked goods and purrposeful time with cats.
Mother and daughter team Patty Beam and Morgan Meronk are opening Tabby & Fido’s Cat Cafe, at 300 N. Main St., on Thursday, May 11. The shop is divided into two areas – one with snacks, merchandise and a large viewing window where people can pull up a chair, sip on a beverage, and watch the cats play. The other area is the cat lounge, where people can go in for some petting and play time with the felines.
The cats are all supplied by the Wood County Humane Society.
The catalyst for Tabby & Fido’s is Beam’s and Meronk’s deep love and appreciation of cats – and their concern for too many cats without homes.
“I see them out on the road all the time,” Beam said. “And the humane society is so full.”
The mother and daughter were spitballing ideas for a business and had heard of cat cafes elsewhere. “We realized there was nothing in this area,” Beam said.
Both believe in the cathartic nature of spending time with cats. The cafe will allow people to get their cat fix, even if they aren’t allowed to have cats in their home.
“We thought, what a great thing to do for the community and the college,” Beam said.
So the pair went to work creating relationships with the Wood County Humane Society, local bakeries and coffee shop.
On Friday, there were seven cats in the lounge. Two of them, Kava and Kumquat, leaped onto the shelves by the viewing window.
“They are just beautiful and graceful,” Meronk said. “They are all so loving.”
Both women believe in the mental health benefits of spending time with purring and playful cats.
“I look forward to coming here,” Beam said, noting the ability of cats to reduce anxiety in humans. “They like to cuddle. They do something for me personally.”
All the cats at Tabby & Fido’s are available for adoption through the Wood County Humane Society.
“We’re just housing the cats for the humane society,” Beam said, cautioning that people can’t drop off cats at the cafe.
The cafe side of the business is open to anyone wanting to sip, snack and sit watching the cats. There is bartop seating, which will allow for people to work on their laptops while viewing cats.
The lounge side of the shop will cost $10 for 50 minutes of cat play time. Reservations can be made online. Memberships are available for $50 a month, which include unlimited time in the cat lounge, discounts on private parties at the site, and other benefits.
Children are welcome, as long as they are accompanied by adults. Well-mannered and leashed dogs will be permitted in the cafe side of the business.
The cafe area will feature baked goods from Miss J Bakery in Perrysburg and Country Grains in Sylvania, plus coffee from Flatlands in Bowling Green.
The shop features work by local artists and craftspeople. The pet-related items include stained glass art, key chains, bracelets, stickers, plush toys and hanging macrame cat beds.
There are cat and dog collars, matching bandanas and scrunchies, custom ID tags. For humans, there is apparel professing the love of cats.
There are cat and dog treats, with flavors such as pumpkin peanut butter, chicken sushi, and blueberry. There’s plenty of catnip and yogurt covered dog cookies.
Pet health and care items include dog toothbrushes and toothpaste, paw balms, eye and ear wipes, and eco-friendly soap and poop bags.
The cafe does not accept cash. Though parking is limited at the shop, there are spaces along Oak Street and North Main Street.
The grand opening will be May 11, from 2 to 6 p.m. A food truck will be on site, as well as a person making balloon animals. Free pup cups will be served outside.
Regular hours at Tabby & Fido’s will be Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop will be closed on Mondays.
