Today we’d like to introduce you to Inga Carey
Hi Inga, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve loved cats since I was a little girl when my mom let me have my first cat at 8 years old. After the pandemic and losing her to lung cancer I became very depressed and one thing I found therapeutic was the love from my cats. I wanted to put something good out into the world and make a difference in my community. I saw that other places had successful cat cafes and I wanted to show Rock Hill would be the purrfect spot for one. I decided Christmas of 2022 that I would start to research and come up with a business plan of my own, and visit as many cat cafes along the way that I could. It was a lot of hard work even getting to opening day, but I met so many awesome people along the way who all wanted the cat cafe to succeed. As we come up on our first year open I gotta say I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished in the community, saving the lives of 123 cats, but also creating a place of joy where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and a cat cuddling by your side.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It seemed like at every turn we hit roadblocks that would delay us; the process of finding a location, starting construction, getting proper documentation, zoning issues, and so many more. I had the strength and perseverance to keep going because my mom taught me to think of them as little hoops you have to jump through. Since we opened it’s been a tough learning curve as this is my first business, but I’ve got great support from my staff who love the cafe just as much as I do.
As you know, we’re big fans of Purrfect Pair Cat Cafe. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Purrfect Pair Cat Cafe is half cafe and half cat adoption lounge. Our cafe features coffee and specialty drinks, teas, slushies and popping boba; with bakery items from a local gluten free baker. We partner with Catawba County Animal Services for our cats who come to us in great health, already spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, and ready for adoption. We also have a boutique that cat lovers can shop at for fun gifts, and cat boarding in the back for families who go on vacation and need to have their cat supervised. We are known for having a fun atmosphere and friendly cats, but also a great place to stop for coffee and catch up on homework or chat with friends. We have over 30 combinations of flavors that we can mix to make your purrfect caffeinated beverage, and we get lots of compliments on our coffee. I am most proud that we’ve helped find homes for 123 cats and created a cat loving community here in Rock Hill.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’ve connected with so many people about cats, cat cafes, cat health, and coffee drink ideas over social media; so Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. I recommend that people learn about cat behavior and how to catify your space with Jackson Galaxy and the Kitten Lady.
Pricing:
- Cat Lounge Visit 30 Minutes $10
- Cat Lounge Visit 60 Minutes $15
- Coffees and Specialty Drinks $5-7
- Cat Adoption Cost $50-60
- One Night Cat Boarding Condo $28
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.purrfectpaircatcafe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purrfectpaircatcafe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purrfectpaircatcafe/
- LinkedIn: https://linktr.ee/purrfectpaircatcafe
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PurrfectPairCatCafe
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@purrfectpaircatcafe
