The cat’s out of the bag! Husband and wife team Chris and Denna Schreiner are opening Moore County’s first cat café, Kitten Around Cat Lounge, in the heart of historic downtown Carthage. The lounge is set to open this month, and Chris and Denna are “feline” good about Kitten Around’s progress.
Kitten Around Cat Lounge will work with local agencies all over the Sandhills to bring adoptable cats into the café, including shelters from Moore, Richmond, and Hoke counties. All cats will be fully vetted, up to date on shots, and spayed/neutered before adoption.
“Kitten Around Cat Lounge is thrilled to be partnering with several local shelters and rescue groups, all of which have a passion for placing homeless pets in desirable homes,” Denna noted. “We hope to help them reduce euthanizations and increase adoptions of their kitties!”
From watching the cats climb their cat wall and bat at toys to relaxing with a purring cat on your lap, Denna and Chris are paws-itive Moore County locals will love the experience. The couple aims to have ten to twelve cats on the premises at all times, ready for new homes where they can be loved around the clock.
According to Denna, inspiration struck while the family was on a weekend trip and passing through Concord, NC, when their daughter and devout animal-lover Emma spied a billboard for a cat café. The family was intrigued at once.
Denna recalled how the whole family loved the experience. “We looked around in awe, soaked up the relaxing energy, and got all of the kitty cuddles,” she explained. “My husband and I looked at each other with the same idea in mind — our community needed a cat cafe!”
The couple decided to make this dream a reality. They found a storefront in Carthage — not too far from the family of six’s home in Foxfire — last year and immediately set to work. They designed the space to be as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, with plenty of seating in both the main café and the cat room. The café is nearly complete and will be open for business later this month.
All drinks and treats sold at Kitten Around Cat Lounge are locally sourced here in Moore County. Cactus Creek Gourmet Coffee Roasters will provide the coffee, while baked goods will come in fresh from Pine Scone Café and G. Charles Bakery.
Customers are invited to pick up a drink and a snack and watch the cats play through a window in the lobby. For an additional fee, customers can head into the cat lounge to play and relax with the cats, getting in plenty of “kitty cuddles” while they’re at it.
In the future, Denna hopes to incorporate activities and events for cat lovers from all walks of life. Though the current age limit is set to 5 years old and up, Denna would like to host story-time for children to come occasionally to have a (possibly cat-themed) book read to them, so kids can snack on a cookie, listen to a story, and enjoy the company of the cats.
Additionally, Denna aims to obtain an ABC license to allow Kitten Around to host wine and painting nights, involving guests to sip wine and paint along on an easel in the company of the café’s curious cats.
Kitten Around Cat Lounge is located at 18 Courthouse Square in Carthage. For more information, call (910) 722-2093, visit www.kittenaroundcatlounge.com or find Kitten Around on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Abegail Murphy.
