Meet the Snazzy Cats of El Gato Coffee House in the Heights
Houston's first cat cafe, El Gato Coffee House, opened just last week in a small cottage tucked away off Pecore in the Heights. Well, it's softly open anyway, which seems appropriate for a business involving many a furry friend. But really what that means is that a separate structure housing an actual coffee bar is still forthcoming this summer.
When the separate shipping container coffee shop opens, it will also be accompanied by a catio — yes, a cat patio — where visitors and the resident cats can bask in the sun (or shade). But for now, the main cottage area— which does offer cups of coffee free with admission — is open and ready for some major cat hang sessions.
The Houston Press stopped in this week to meet the slinky occupants of El Gato and check out the new spot. All guests are (for now/pre-coffee bar) asked to pay $12 for an hour with the cats— students can pay $10— along with signing a waiver (because these animals do have claws and personalities, y'all). Again, that comes with coffee, water and Wi-Fi, and there's a limit to how many folks can be inside with the cats — 18 altogether, and yes, kids are welcome and entry for them is only $8.
The owner and founder of El Gato, Renee Reed, tells the Press that the shop works in collaboration with the Humane Society, where she herself started up a Yoga With Cats program that's now carried over to the new shop.
Read more and view the cats along with their stories: http://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/el-gato-coffee-house-opens-in-houston-heights-9425449
Monica and her magic wand.
Photo by Gwendolyn Knapp
Monica
The truest form of feline. Monica hides when she wants, plays when she wants and eats what she wants. This is Monica's world and you are just in it, humanoid.
