A mother-daughter duo in Fredericksburg is moving forward with plans to capitalize on a growing trend of viral cat cafes purring their way through the San Antonio region. 

So what is a cat cafe? In this case, it’s a coffee shop with an additional space for guests to play with and potentially adopt shelter cats through the Hill Country Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The new business will be called the Frisky Kitty Cat Cafe, a one-story, 1,600-square-foot coffee shop with an accessory cat lounge. 

April Laird says she and her 11-year-old daughter will work as business partners on the upcoming project. Fredericksburg’s Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit request from Laird at a meeting on Wednesday, April 1, before the project won final approvals in front of City Council on Tuesday, April 7. The business owner says she and her daughter first became aware of the concept after recent trips to St. Augustine, Florida, and Knoxville, Tennessee. 

That’s how the idea for Frisky Kitty Cat Cafe was born.

“This is not just a business idea, it’s a community-centered solution toward animal welfare, mental health, tourism and local economic growth,” the mother of two said at the city council meeting. 

The cafe will be located at 1209 E. Main Street. Laird said that the cats will be able to roam freely within an enclosed glass lounge area that patrons will be able to go into and play with the felines. The lounge will be completely separate from the coffee shop area, per health code ordinances.

In a written narrative submitted to the city describing her business, Laird clarified that there will be no cooking onsite. The business owner will instead purchase baked goods, cookies and pastries wholesale from local bakeries. There will also be a cat merch gift shop. 

“Fredericksburg is already a destination for unique experiences, wineries, shops and local culture. A cat cafe adds something different and memorable, she wrote. 

According to Laird, the cats will come from local Hill Country animal rescues. The shelters will provide all veterinary care for the animals.Â