Eater Boston is reporting that PURR is looking to open its doors to cat lovers in the region, with Diane Kelly trying to land a location in Boston or Cambridge. (Kelly tells EB that Boston's health board and Mayor Walsh have both indicated that they support the plans). The article says that the proposed cat cafe--which patrons would pay to enter--would not have food made on the premises, but would rather be part of a partnership with a local spot with food delivered to customers. If approved, PURR, would be open seven days a week and it appears that 10 percent of the profits would go to a local cat shelter that partners with the cafe.
In 2013, we reported that a cat cafe might come to Boston, but those plans never seems to get off the ground. Another proposal for a cat cafe in South Boston called Le Chat Noir was announced in 2014, but those plans also appeared to fall apart as well.
The Facebook page for PURR can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Purr-Therapy-1646560665609160/
[June 17 update: Eater Boston states that the PURR cat cafe could indeed become reality, as it has found a space and is now waiting for the lease to be signed. A comment within PURR's Facebook page indicates that it plans to open somewhere in Brighton, though no specific address has been given.]
[August 9 update: A new article from Eater Boston indicates that Diane Kelly has officially signed a lease for PURR cat cafe--though the exact location is still unknown--and a number of steps still lie ahead, including zoning approval, construction, a Crowdfunding campaign, signing a contract with the rescue group, looking for a restaurant that will partner with the place, and more.]
[October 21 update: Eater Boston states that Diane Kelly is currently seeking community support for the PURR cat cafe, and that she is also working with a zoning attorney to appeal the city of Boston's rejection of her permit application. (Another zoning hearing is expected in early December, though it looks like it will depend at least in part on whether residents do not oppose having the cafe in their neighborhood.)]
[November 3 update: A post from The Daily Free Press states that the PURR cat cafe plans to open in early 2017, though an address has still not been given as of yet. (Thanks to Boston Tweet for bringing this to our attention.)]
[November 4 update: Universal Hub has posted where the PURR cat cafe will be--it looks like it will be located in a new block of businesses at 167-183 Chestnut Hill Avenue, which is a few blocks north of Commonwealth Avenue. (The exact street number has not been given as of yet.)]
[December 14 update: A new article from Universal Hub says that plans for PURR cat cafe have been unanimously approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals, with the place coming to 167 Chestnut Hill Avenue.]
[July 6, 2017 update: A Facebook post indicates that PURR Cat Cafe plans to have its grand opening on August 12.]
[August 31, 2017 update: A new Facebook post from the page mentions that PURR Cat Cafe, which had been hoping to have its grand opening this weekend (according to an updated events page) is not going to open this weekend after all.]
[September 5, 2017 update: PURR Cat Cafe has still not opened, and Boston Magazine now says that it is not known when it might open, as the place does not have adoptable cats yet, nor does it have an adoption partner anymore, as it has cut ties with Boston's Forgotten Felines. The article mentions that owner Diane Kelly still hopes to open sometime this month depending on whether she can find a new partner.]
[September 27, 2017 update: According to several sources, including an update from Boston Magazine, the Facebook page for PURR Cat Cafe has been taken down. It is not known what this means concerning the status of the place, so stay tuned.]
[October 3, 2017 update: The Facebook page for PURR Cafe Cafe has returned, with a cat named Daley giving an introduction in a new note that explains some facts about the place. (There is still no word on when the cafe might open.)]
[October 6, 2017 update: A new Facebook post from the business shows a video of a cat shaking its head and a corresponding note saying "Boston. Clearly there is no interest in Cat Cafe here." It appeared earlier that an open house was possibly taking place this weekend, but based on this post, it is not known if this will happen now (stay tuned for more updates).]
[October 9, 2017 update: According to the Facebook community page for the place, PURR Cat Cafe did end up having an open house this weekend.]
[Earlier Articles]
A Cat Cafe Could Be Coming to Boston
A Cat Cafe May Come to South Boston in 2015
Plans Fall Through for a Cat Cafe to Come to Boston
Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston
[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
