Opening its doors in mid-to-late February, the Kitty Corner Social Club will be bringing its claws into Iowa City, just across from the Pentacrest. This first-of-its-kind cat lounge in the city aims to create a cozy and unique space where locals can relax and enjoy the companionship of cats. In partnership with the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center, Kitty Corner also gives visitors the chance to adopt some of the furry friends they interact with.
“Iowa City is the perfect place to embrace this blend of human and animal love,” said Katy Brown, founder of Kitty Corner. “In today’s world, we all need a way to lower our stress levels, and the presence of cats can certainly help.”
Located in the former V’s Nail Studio, the Kitty Corner lounge greets visitors with colorful, feline-themed décor and a playful, open environment for the cats to explore. Upon entry, guests are asked to remove their shoes for the safety of the cats and are given a sticker showing when their visit time will end. With up to twelve cats available for play and affection at any given time, there are various options for those looking to spend time with them. Visitors can enjoy the lounge for 15 minutes ($11), 30 minutes ($15), or 60 minutes ($22), and private event packages are also available.
“I’m cat-obsessed and missing my cat while at college, so I’ll definitely check this out,” said University of Iowa second-year student Kathryn Schultz. “Cat people are some of the best people.” Schultz plans to visit soon after the lounge opens, looking forward to the comfort and warmth cats can offer during her time away from home.
The idea for Kitty Corner originated when Brown and her family visited a cat lounge in Paris. Back in Iowa, she met with the owner of Coffee Cats, a cat café in West Des Moines, to discuss the logistics of creating her own lounge. With a background in marketing and brand strategy, Brown quickly began planning her venture.
“After that, everything fell into place very quickly,” Brown recalled.
In September, Brown visited other cat lounges on the East Coast to refine her concept. By December, she had signed a lease for Kitty Corner’s location in Iowa City and was finalizing the brand.
“I didn’t think this was possible until May or June, but after visiting the cat lounge overseas in July, I knew we could make this happen,” Brown said. “It felt like a calling to bring love and compassion into the community.”
The first group of cats arrived at Kitty Corner on February 12, and Jennifer Read, volunteer program assistant at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center, will help coordinate the replacement of cats as they get adopted.
Read expressed excitement about how the lounge will provide new experiences for the cats, introducing them to a variety of people. She and the adoption center staff will continue to support Kitty Corner’s mission.
“We’re thrilled to have our cats showcase themselves more,” Read said. “This will bring out the best in them.”
Visitors interested in adopting a cat will need to complete an online application similar to those used at animal shelters. Pre-applications are available for those coming from out of town who already know they want to adopt. Each cat will wear a collar indicating its gender, with “house cat” collars marking those not available for adoption.
As Kitty Corner prepares for its grand opening, Brown is grateful for the support she has received from local businesses. She’s especially appreciative of the Iowa City Downtown District, which has provided guidance, mentorship, and funding resources.
Brown hopes to offer community events like film screenings and cat yoga in the future. She believes these activities will encourage even more people to explore the lounge and connect with the community.
Kitty Corner’s opening has also created new job opportunities, with employees working as “lounge experience specialists.” These specialists will assist with customer service, reminding visitors to remove their shoes, and care for the cats in the back of the house, ensuring their well-being.
“We’re all here to take care of the cats, welcome guests, and make sure everyone feels safe and cared for,” Brown said.
While the exact opening date remains flexible, as the cats settle into their new home, the Iowa City community is eagerly anticipating the launch. Brown concluded, “Animals have a way of grounding us. In a world full of distractions, it’s nice to just focus on a little fluff and a purr.”
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