January 11, 2023
Paws and relax
Around Town
The Cat Zen Cafe and Lounge in St. Charles is a free-roaming cat lounge that serves as a temporary feline sanctuary and hopeful adoption launchpad
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Features
By Brett Auten The residents of the Cat Zen Cafe bestow a chorus of meows towards Tonya Williams before the door is cracked. Williams is the owner and operator of the Cat Zen Cafe, which is, in a nutshell, a free-roaming cat lounge “They are always ready for breakfast and wanting to be loved on,” Williams said Off and running, the Cat Zen Cafe, located at 319 N. Main Street in St. Charles, has become a feline sanctum and adoption launchpad. Opened on the day after Thanksgiving, Williams and the cafe have already had 16 adoptions. For some, cats are an anxiety reducer and the cafe is one place to visit if you’ve had a stressful day or just need some cat-time to help slow down and just hang out for a spell. “You do not have to be interested in adopting a cat to visit our cafe,” Williams said. “You can simply just visit with the kitties in the lounge.” Social media and word of mouth has helped interest spread quickly and it is hard to argue that there is a better way to get a feel for a feline’s personality and determine if they could be a good fit for the home. “Cat Zen is a clean and well-thought-out atmosphere for both customers and cats residing there,” customer Marsha Graumenz said. “The location is perfect for any local or traveling families who visit our Historic Main Street of St. Charles. We are lucky to have such a creative spot for anyone who loves to cuddle and play with cats or even
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Submitted photo The Cat Zen Cafe and Lounge is a free-roaming cat lounge that serves as a temporary feline sanctuary and hopeful adoption launchpad. It is located at 319 N. Main Street in St. Charles.
looking to adopt their forever feline.” Cat cafes have sprouted all over and after visiting a few while on vacations over the years, Williams took the chance to open one here. “I thought it was a brilliant concept,” she said. “I love all animals, but cats have always held a special place in my heart. I was always the child on the block who was taking in strays and spending my allowance
on cat food. I remember my grandmother saving a kitten. I was there front and center the whole time.” The cafe sells hot coffee/tea and a variety of drinks, snacks and baked goods from local bakeries and is fully staffed, but there is always a need for behind-the-scenes volunteers to help care for the cats, which See ‘PAWS’ page 2
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