Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — On Wednesday afternoon, Christopher Scuderi was enjoying a fairly unique birthday party.
"My wife decided to surprise me with some cat time," Scuderi said.
He was not disappointed.
"I love spending time with animals, and cats are my preference, my favorite," Scuderi said.
Lisa Boone, the owner of Tinker's Cat Cafe, says she started the business with a simple concept in mind: to let customers enjoy the soothing company of the furry, soft animals.
"They're very loving and they give a chance for people to kind of be in a calm manner, in a relaxed state," Boone said. "A lot of people have cats at home, but they just want to come hang out with cats because we love cats."
Tinker's Cat Cafe — located at 302 E. 900 South in Salt Lake City — features coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and a room full of about 14 cats. Boone says the cafe, which opened Nov. 3, has so far been busy. Groups can reserve the cat room for $8 per person for one hour at a time.
"We try to create an environment that just feels good for people to destress," Boone said.
The business's name also has some sentimental roots.
"Tinker is named after my childhood cat," Boone recalled. "He was a Siamese and he lived to be 22 years old."
Tinker's Cat Cafe also exists to help the animals. Working in partnership with Salt Lake County, Boone gets the cats from the county animal shelter. Each one is available for adoption. As of Wednesday night, Boone said three cats had been adopted out.
They're very loving and they give a chance for people to kind of be in a calm manner, in a relaxed state.
–Lisa Boone
"(It) just confirms what Tinker's is all about," she said. "And that it actually can help, and it can really make a difference in getting cats out the door."
