NoVA's First Cat Café Looks To Open In Alexandria (ICYMI)

This story was originally published on May 23.

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Northern Virginia's first cat café is working on opening in Old Town Alexandria, and it needs some support from the community to get started.

Kristin Cowan and Adam Patterson envision Mount Purrnon Cat Café and Wine Bar as a part cat lounge and part wine bar and café. One room would feature adoptable cats from a local shelter where visitors can play with them. The café and wine bar would offer coffee, tea, pastries, varieties of wine and beer and snacks like cheese plates and hummus.

The café would also hold special events like wine tastings, trivia, game nights and movie nights. For history buffs, there will be maps, local guides, and history books about the local area.

"Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe and Wine Bar will combine cats, wine, and history to provide a unique experience and relaxing environment for visitors," states the Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the café.

The concept is similar to Crumbs & Whiskers, a reservation-based cat café in Georgetown. Visitors wanting to go into the cat lounge would need to make a reservation. They are able to order from the café area and bring food and drinks into the cat lounge. Anyone would be able to visit the café and wine bar area without a reservation.

The campaign seeks to raise $25,000 by May 29 to jumpstart the business. Donations made on the page will only be collected if it reaches the goal by Tuesday, May 29. With a few days to go, it has secured more than $15,000.

After securing funding, Mount Purrnon will be seeking a location in Old Town Alexandria. The team hopes to find a location that can accommodate its adoption center and café areas. Once that location is secured, the team will work with the City of Alexandria on zoning and other business requirements.

Learn more about the cat café at www.mtpurrnoncatcafe.com and donate on the Kickstarter campaign page.

Image via R.Chatchawarn/Shutterstock