3 days Ago
LOWELL — Lowell’s first-ever cat cafe is set to open soon — possibly by year’s end — offering a cozy haven for animal lovers to sip coffee or nibble on pastries while mingling with adoptable cats. Cat enthusiasts can unite at the Lazy Cat Lounge Lowell, which will be situated downtown at 177 Merrimack St., the former location of the now closed Loyal Lounge nightclub.
“It’s going to be a relaxing space to use free Wi-Fi, get a coffee, and sit with some cats,” said Brandi Jong, the business’ founder and a resident of Lowell. “It’s geared towards people who either want to adopt a cat, or people who just want to spend time with an animal without the commitment of being a pet owner.” Jong had been toying with the idea for about a decade after reading about the first cat cafe to ever open.
“The idea clicked in my head, like, ‘Wow, it would be awesome to do something like that here,” said Jong, a married mother of one. The main inspiration was to help find forever homes for cats. And of course, as Jong points out, “I love ’em.
” Jong has dedicated a significant amount of time helping pets by volunteering at animal rescue facilities, including the Lowell Humane Society , for 20 years. Jong points out that she regularly takes in foster cats and kittens, in addition to having her own. “It’s weird because I grew up with dogs,” Jong said.
“My father bred dogs and nobody on my father’s side of the family ever had a cat. I got my first cat in college, and I’ve been all cats since then.” So, how is this whole operation going to work? Jong explained the 1,506-square-foot space on Merrimack Street will be divided into two parts.
The initial section, upon entering, will feature a retail area offering cat-themed gifts, toys, and even artwork from local artists. Supporting local businesses is a key part of Jong’s business model. She is partnering with Atomic Coffee Roasters, based in Peabody, to provide hot and cold brews.
Other refreshments will include, but are not limited to, tea and flavored lemonades. Baked goods and other snacks will be sourced from local vendors, including Pizzelle Bakes, located in Lowell’s Mill No. 5.
The other section is where the cats can freely roam and the furry cuteness reigns. Jong described the space, which will be separated from the retail section by a wall with a viewing window, as a “Victorian library or sitting room.” “But there will be lots of what they call ‘catification,’ which means there will be lots of things for cats to climb on, scratch on, and lots of things for them to play with,” Jong said.
Visitors can pay a fee to enter the room and hang out with the cats for an hour. This will be done on a reservation-based system. Jong mentioned that $1 from every admission will be donated to the Lowell Humane Society.
Jong estimates the room will accommodate six to 10 cats at a time, depending on their temperament and history. The cats will come from places including the Lowell Humane Society, Broken Tail Rescue in Worcester, and Pat Brody Shelter for Cats in Lunenburg, with the goal of alleviating the strain on these shelters. “We are going to start with cats who (the shelters) think are going to be a good fit,” Jong said.
In addition to helping these cats find homes by serving as a sort of foster home, the cafe will provide a space for the cats to get out of their cages and socialize with other cats and people. Jong did not rule out the possibility of a cat or two maybe even becoming permanent residents of the Lazy Cat Lounge Lowell. Only people aged 8 and older will be permitted to enter the room, except during any special events for younger children.
Jong emphasizes this is for everyone’s safety. Jong said she is still navigating the process to get Lazy Cat Lounge Lowell up and running, but hopes to be ready for visitors by December. Once open, the hours will be from Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.
m. to 8 p.m.
It will be closed from 2 to 3 p.m. each of those days to clean and to give the cats some space.
For more about the local cat cafe, visit lazycatloungelowell.com . Follow Aaron Curtis on X, formerly known as Twitter, @aselahcurtis.
