Minneapolis’ first cat cafe opens

Shop serves coffee and provides adoption services

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Emma Kempf

Customers can drink coffee with cats at the Cafe Meow on Hennepin Ave. Cafe Meow is the first cat cafe in Minneapolis.

Emma Kempf

For Minneapolis city goers who enjoy a quality cup of coffee and cats, the Cafe Meow offers them both.

The Cafe Meow occupies two separate rooms, one for coffee and one for cats, on Hennepin and 24th Street.

Contrary to expectations, the feline theme does not take away from the quality of the coffee at the Cafe Meow. The cafe certainly delivers a quality cup of espresso, and they also offer a wide variety of teas and baked goods.

Customers can pay an additional ten dollars to sit in the cat room for an hour. Upon entering the room, visitors can expect to see cats bathing in the sun, perching on seats mounted high on the wall or walking across a plank vaulted above your head. The cats are exceedingly friendly and love to play with the various cat toys available to customers.

Co-owner of the cafe Danielle Rasmussen said the cafe created a social media presence before officially opening on Feb. 16.

“(Minneapolis) people were long overdue for a cat cafe,” Rasmussen said. “They were all so glad it was finally opening.”

Additionally, all cats at the Cafe Meow are available for adoption. According to Rasmussen, the cats at the cafe come from local shelters like Ruff Start Rescue, Minnesota Animal Rescue and No Kitten Left Behind MN.

“The rescues that we work with are small, so they care and they pay attention and put effort into who they decide their cats can go live with,” Rasmussen said.

Whether you are looking for a basic cup of joe or you wish to simultaneously play with cats and caffeinate, the Cafe Meow offers something for all customers.