Cat cafés starting to pop up in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids

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New, feline-occupied spaces are becoming the cat’s meow across the Corridor.

A cat lounge has opened in Iowa City, and a cat café is in the works for the Cedar Rapids area.

Kitty Corner Social Club opened earlier in February with a cat lounge that does not sell food or beverages. With free self-service beverages like a water bottle station and tea, patrons are invited to simply relax with the cats at 20 S. Clinton St. in Iowa City.

Billed as a destination for humans and cats to unwind side by side, visitors can connect with the cats lounging on couches and watching TV — all available for adoption from the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Admission is available in increments of 15, 30 or 60 minutes, starting at $11. Walk-ins are welcome, though reservations at its website are strongly encouraged.

“Our focus is on creating a clean and safe environment for our feline friends, so we’ve kept it simple with occasional self-service, free drinks — no food,” Kitty Corner posted on its social media.

Visitors may also be able to bring in their takeout from nearby restaurants to snack on with special dining companions — assuming it doesn’t cause too much of a frenzy.

But if you want to buy a cup of java made from scratch in a cat-friendly establishment, one Marion resident has something you’ll be interested in.

Familiar Cat Cafe, a new coffee shop concept from Kat Sung, is exploring properties to bring a cat café online in the Cedar Rapids area by the end of the year.

“I want it to be a third space sanctuary for humans and cats, which I feel is super important right now with the division and uncertainty in the world,” Sung said.

The space would facilitate adoptions with a local shelter, in addition to being a place to hang out. Sung envisions the area for cats being separate from the area that sells food and drinks, for the comfort and inclusion of all visitors.

For now, Familiar Cat Cafe is getting its start with an online space selling products from local artists around themes of mysticism and spirituality — like oracle cards and a cat Yin and Yang necklace.

Sung, who has worked in human services for about 14 years, said building community spaces that foster belonging is important to them.

Familiar Cat Cafe will hold a pop-up at Raygun in Cedar Rapids on March 8. For more information, visit their Facebook or website at familiarcatcafe.com.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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