Cat Café Coming to Murfreesboro

By Brooke Routh

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

         MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Two local Murfreesboro residents will open up their own cat with coffee café called Catfeine this summer to help adoptable rescue cats find forever homes while serving tasty beverages simultaneously.

          Curtis and Taura Byrd were watching an episode of Shark Tank in 2015 when the idea of a cat café first popped into their minds.  Since then, they have been working hard to bring the coffee and cat café to Murfreesboro.    
         Unfortunately, they have not released the address for Catfeine yet, but they have hinted that it will be located in downtown Murfreesboro. At first, The Byrds were considering opening Catfeine, the coffee and cat café, in Nashville, but ultimately decided on Murfreesboro because they live there and because the city has plenty of cat lovers. After Catfeine’s Facebook page was created in summer of 2017, the demand for a cat café in Murfreesboro skyrocketed.

Curtis and Taura Byrd

           The Byrds have been working closely with the Rutherford County Health Department to ensure that everything in the café will be up to code. There will not be any cat hair in the coffee. The area where coffee is prepared will be separated from the cat lounge.  There also will be a separate area for the litter boxes so that the cats have their own private area away from customers.  
          “The cats will have a separate ‘no humans allowed’ area where they can get away if they need a break," said Curtis Byrd. 
          “Only their caregiver will be allowed to enter," Taura Byrd added. "One of the very reasons we want to have a cat lounge adoption environment is due to the countless number of times we've had to complain at a local big box pet store about the condition of the cages the cats are in, It is terrible. Cats should not have to lie in their own filth. This turns prospective adopters away because it gives the perception that cats are dirty. We promise to keep a super clean and healthy environment for both the cats and the humans!”

          The Byrds plan to have a cat lounge where customers can sip coffee while petting the cats. There will be an hourly rate for access to the lounge to help underwrite the cost to take care of the cats, and maintain the café. They plan to offer monthly memberships to customers who plan to visit often. There will be student discount options as well. Catfeine will be a place to relax before or after classes or even to study for finals, even if the temptation to pet the cats is strong.

           Some potential customers expressed disappointment when it was revealed that there will be an hourly rate to access the cat lounge. “While we would love to provide this as a free experience, we simply cannot afford to. Said Curtis Byrd. “Caring for the cats can be quite expensive.  We're providing care, food, shelter, toys and tons of litter, just to name the basics.  The cover charge will help ensure The Byrds are able to provide cats with the care they need and a roof over their heads. 
          “We will do everything we can to keep the cost to a minimum,” Curtis Byrd continued. “Spots will be limited each hour, so reservations will be highly encouraged to ensure cat lovers get their kitty fix.”

         Food will not be prepared onsite, but Catfeine will have baked goods prepackaged from a local bakery. Olive Branch Bakery, a local bakery in Murfreesboro, will be providing Catfeine with bakery goods. The bakery specializes in macaroons and other cat shaped pastries.

          The Byrds said that Murfreesboro needs a cat café and there is no better time than 2018. People love coffee and cats, so why not combine the two while helping cats in need of homes. 
          To learn more about Catfeine, visit http://www.catfeine.net.