Is a cat cafe a viable commercial use? Have you ever leased space to such a venture?
I am a commercial broker. I specialize in in a small, somewhat funky town that is rapidly gentrifying. We're seeing lots of acai bowls, yoga studios and gender fluid bars. Today a prospective client contacted me asking to lease/ buy space to open a cat cafe. What is a cat cafe?  Is this the shape of the future or am I being old fashioned to think that few will pay $20/hr to hang out with cats and drink coffee? What kind of health clearance is required? Your thoughts?
[{"id": "hsyeycs", "text": "I don't know how viable they are but the one in my area is a coffee shop that they also rescue cats. Rhe cats just run around the place while people pet them and drink coffee. They put them up for adoption and stuff. \n\nFull disclosure, I've never actually been inside because I'm allergic.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hsykrd2", "text": "They have always failed in my market which is similar to what your describing. The owners are often unrealistic dreamers that overestimate the client base. Cat hair, coffee, and food don't mix. \n\nIn addition, you have to separate the area where food is prepared and served from the cat area.", "replies": [{"id": "ht2ipjr", "text": "And it's not really all that easy to wrangle cats to keep them close to you. Dog Cafe? Throw a leash on them and keep them close to your seat. Cats? Good luck.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hsysvvb", "text": "It is a viable business, often they are appointment only.\n\nIt works better in neighborhoods with more apartments and less houses, since the customer base often can't afford the space necessary for a cat.\n\nIf it is not possible to get by in town without a car, then I don't see it as practical. If it is a walkable downtown with lots of apartments and condos, then it may be practical.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hsytfpl", "text": "It'll do well for 6-12 months then the novelty will wear off and they'll be out of business in another 6-12 months. I'd avoid it unless you actually need to lease the space ASAP.", "replies": [{"id": "ht05a0g", "text": "I know of one that has been in business, in a very trendy and expensive part of town, for the better part of a decade. Was a great place for dates when I was single.", "replies": [{"id": "ht08lh9", "text": "For every one like that one, there's a dozen that failed in the first year.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hsywuvb", "text": "If you have the financials to back it, the city/municipality/health department is cool with it fuck it go for it. I don\u2019t think they have longevity as a business idea but it\u2019s a nice thought.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hszjs3q", "text": "Actually I visited several cat cafe in Japan, it\u2019s pretty satisfying\u2026cat never bother me, but when they do stop by I just pet them. It\u2019s cleaner than any cafe I see in the US. \nBut I don\u2019t think we have the market for that in the states. You never know, the ramen shop I think it\u2019s going to fail is opening their 4th store in town.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hszjsvk", "text": "Very common outside the US. Started in Japan. \n\nMy (very large) US city has had one that has been open 4 years successfully and one that failed during Covid. \n\nI don\u2019t think it\u2019s any higher risk than any other coffee shop. I wouldn\u2019t try it in a small or medium city. Would want at least 1m population.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hszpm7f", "text": "There are three I can think of in Chicago, at least two of which have been around for &gt;2 years. I've never been to one -- I don't object to cats, but I don't love them enough to go out of my way. \n\nAs someone else mentioned, they're typically cat adoption gateways, so best to see if your town's local demographics and housing trends support it (sounds like a yes). Also, if the animal rescue they're associating with already has a strong social media presence, they're likely to have a built-in audience for the cafe concept.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hszspu8", "text": "As Beth says, \"Don't say no to the prospect\"", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ht0690l", "text": "I think with the global surge in anime culture, the need for affection and unconditional love (brought on by isolation from covid), and the general chillness of cats, this idea will surge in the next few years, especially if mixed with books/dvd sections, and local events for creators\n\nI am probably a contrary view on this, but we are all slowly turning japanese, cat cafes will succeed", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ht1a9vm", "text": "1000% Perrrrrfect :-)", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "htzynhb", "text": "I am actually in the process of opening one myself.  The biggest thing is \"where is the money coming from?\". The second thing is \"are they running it as a shelter or as a cafe?\".\n\nI personally work with a number of 501c non profits, so I have some advantages. My costs of vetting are much lower, so my profits on the average cat is much higher (at minimum 200% return). Not only that, but I will be dealing primarily with kittens and specialty breeds. A lot of cat cafes fail by morally \"doing the right thing\" and primarily adopting out senior and adult cats. People don't want that shit. At the end of the day,  it is a business.  \n\nAnother thing is having a small but quality drink and food (if applicable) selection.  This is another place where I've seen people go wrong. A lot of cat cafes charge a large fee just to walk in the door, and bank on the one-time-customer who is checking out the novelty of the place.  They will not return if they have to pay $20 just to walk in the door,  another $125 for some old, lame ass cat,  and they sure as fuck don't want some shitty coffee, or an over priced white claw. \n\nIf they have the right connections, have a good business model,  have quality cats/ product,  then they might have a chance. The whole experience needs to be IMPECCABLE from start to finish.  Cheap at the right parts,  and expensive at the right parts.  The demand is there if the demographic is right. \n\nGood luck to you,  and I'd love to hear how it goes.", "replies": [{"id": "hu1bw1n", "text": "Thanks for posting your thoughts, I'd be interested in knowing how this does for you.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]