Joy K.
Yelp
I have mixed feelings about their Grand Opening today, and sincerely hope I can re-visit them in the future and give a higher rating.
Starting with the good stuff - first of all, I love cats, I love the whole trend of Cat Cafes and welcome Edmonton joining the party. Totally in favour of giving folks the opportunity to interact and adopt neutered rescues. Loved seeing how busy they were this morning and hope it can continue.
The building is divided into several sections. When entering, you're faced with a door to the kitties that warns you to first go pay your "Admission Fee" of $15 EACH and get your coffee or tea in a room to the right. With our family group of 4, this was immediately a little discouraging to me - we were there to support a new business and let the children experience the kitties, but that's a pretty steep price for permission to enter. I'd suggest a family rate or one free child entry with each paid adult.
There was a line-up to get to the required beverage area, and it shuffled forward quite slowly. Once inside that area, the overwhelming whiteness felt sterile - the walls, ceiling, door, tables, chairs, counter - everything is simply stark white. I'd like to suggest that they at least decorate the walls with some of the cute pictures of cats in the lounge area, or enlarged photos of some of the cats up for adoption that you could examine while waiting for your drink. I'd also suggest adding some pastry items to the display shelves, which were basically empty. The traffic flow in this area is dreadful - after you shuffle forward, place your order and wait, you then have to wend your way back thru the line to get to the front door again, rather like a salmon swimming upstream. It wouldn't be so difficult if there weren't customers lined up, but then that wouldn't be so good for business, so I hope they can figure something out.
Finally, after paying our fee, signing a waiver form, and getting a non-sticking sticker applied to our hands (how about using a really cute kitty rubber stamp instead, that kids would love and wouldn't fall off within a minute), we could enter the lounge. Well, after struggling with the ill-fitting second inside door, that is. Fix it before someone breaks it!
The lounge is actually two rooms, with lots of comfortable seating - it's quite inviting and cheered me up immensely. Many cute kitties, lots of off-the-floor accoutrements on the walls for them, toys scattered about, and generally well-thought-out and attractive.
Suggestions -
Alll staff and volunteers should have a logo t-shirt on so you can spot who to ask questions or get help.
Sell more things to help increase income and lower the admission price - you cannot expect repeat business when it costs that much just to enter the premises. Get some food in the "cafe," don't be out of syrups and flavours, don't hide the cup lids, have decaf available, maybe some juice choices for children. Carry products for new cat owners ( cat toys, - even some cat-related trinkets/cards/pins etc could be displayed in the cafe - go take a look at someplace like Cally's Tea shop at how to market related items). Sell little packets of kitty nibble treats for kids to feed the kitties while playing with them. Get some t-shirts with a cute kitty saying on them.
I saw a lot of empty clipboards hanging on a wall - USE them - post a picture of each cat along with any known info and a cute cute cute personality profile. Market those sweeties! Adults will gravitate to information and it's your opportunity to appeal on another level. We heard people who didn't even know you could adopt the cats. Yes, there's a sign in one of the rooms, but not everyone is going to stop and read one sign. Also post more info about your organization or have a brochure for people to pick up with your info, how to adopt, contact info, how to volunteer, etc.
Wishing you much luck and the kitties loving new homes :-)