After years of wishing for cat cafés, Chicago now boasts multiple places where furry, purring creatures are the center of attention. On Monday, December 18, a destination for petting cats and sipping coffee will arrive in Bucktown when the Windy Kitty opens its doors at 1746 West North Avenue. The business is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Jenny Tiner, who views cat cafés as the ideal way to get feline companions out of shelters and into loving, longterm homes.
All of the cats roaming through the Windy Kitty come from a local shelter, which means that they’re all available for adoption. Tiner had formerly formed a partnership with Alive Rescue, but told us that she’ll be announcing a new partner before the café opens. Visitors will be able to apply to adopt cats through a form on the Windy Kitty’s website.
Because of city regulations that prevent food and drinks from being prepared in a business where animals are present, the Windy Kitty has a unique arrangement with the nearby Gallery Café. Visitors to the cat café will be able to order from a menu of coffee, tea and pastries and have their items delivered to the Windy Kitty, where they’ll be able to enjoy them in the midst of whiskered friends.
While the Windy Kitty will accommodate walk-in guests when possible, an appointment system allows visitors to schedule time in the café for $10 per hour. If you’re planning on more frequent visits to the feline paradise, annual memberships will also be available, starting at $129. According to Tiner, the Windy Kitty will also be offering cat yoga every Saturday through the end of December—reservations can be made through the café’s website.
The Windy Kitty will be open Monday from 10am to 4pm; Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 1pm and 3 to 7pm; and Sunday from noon to 6pm.
Check out some of the cute kitties that you’ll be able to play with when Chicago’s latest cat café starts welcoming visitors on Monday.
Photograph: courtesy The Windy Kitty
Photograph: courtesy The Windy Kitty