Roanoke’s new cat cafe to serve coffee with a side of cuddles

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Picture this: a cozy corner of Roanoke where the aroma of fresh coffee mixes with the soft purrs of playful kittens.

That dream is becoming a reality as The Toebean Cat Cafe prepares to open its doors, bringing a ‘purr-fect’ blend of caffeine and companionship to the community.

The concept of the cat cafe has been a long-held dream for Roanoke vet technicians Stephanie Green and Kelsey Eutsler.

“We happened to cross paths one day and I was talking about how it was a dream of mine to open a cat cafe to one of my coworkers,” Green said, “and Kelsey heard it and was like ‘Me too!” So, I was like, ‘Alright, maybe we can actually do this.’”

The cats featured at The Toebean Cat Cafe will come from local animal shelters and nonprofits. This initiative aims to address the overpopulation issues many area shelters face.

“When someone finds an animal,” Eutsler said, “the shelters are having to make tough decisions on what to do with them. They don’t have the space or resources, the funding is lacking, so when we can help out in this capacity, we are not only helping fund them by giving them adoption fees, but we are also getting them out of the shelter.”

One key partner in this effort is the Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection. Meghan Ramsey, the kennel manager, noted overcrowding has been a persistent issue.

“Cats are coming in like hand over fist,” Ramsey said. “So, it helps us immensely to find placement for them.”

Ramsey also says it provides a more natural environment for potential owners.

“When they walk into places like our free roam cat room or this new cat cafe,” Ramsey said, “it’s a little bit easier for them to envision the cats in their home.”

Another hope is providing a relaxing retreat for everyone, especially those working in high-stress environments like hospitals. The location is just a few blocks from Carilion.

“Thinking about the nursing staff, doctors, CNAs that have a heavy load and want to take a heavy load and some of the pressure off,” Eutsler said. “Cats are scientifically proven to help your mental health and relieve stress.”

The Toebean Cat Cafe is set to open before the year ends, promising an escape where you can sip coffee, cuddle with cats, and perhaps even find a new feline friend.

The location is at 20 Walnut Ave. SW Roanoke, VA 24016.