Java Cats Café reopens with social distancing measures in place

The cafe, which features adoptable cats from PAWS Atlanta, has also temporarily increased lounge rates

By Kiersten Willis

May 20, 2020

Cat and coffee lovers can now resume being surrounded by their favorite things as Java Cats Café has reopened in Grant Park and Marietta.

The cat cafe announced it would reopen Tuesday with new guidelines in place amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Among the changes are reduced lounge numbers that allow for more than six feet of space between guests. Guests are required to wash hands before entering the cat lounge and sanitize hands upon leaving. The coffee shop has also increased the lounge rates to $12 for adults and kids.

“We know this is a big change and we hope it’s temporary,” read a post on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

We are reopening tomorrow!!!!!😍😍😍 We couldn’t be more excited! Please read up on some of our changes due to COVID. Our lounge numbers have been cut in half allowing for more than 6 feet of personal space between each guest. We have raised the price of admission to $12 for adults and kids. We know this is a big change and we hope it’s temporary. We kindly ask that all of our guests wear a face mask when entering the cat lounge. Hands must be washed before entering the cat lounge and sanitized after leaving. Our Grant Park and Marietta location will be open from 11am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday. The café is open for limited number of guests at a time, however reservations will now be required for cat lounge entry. Java Cats will look and operate differently to comply with new state regulations. Please help support us with these changes❤️ Can’t wait to see you all soon!🥰 #javacatscafe

A post shared by Java Cats (@javacatscafe) on May 18, 2020 at 9:15pm PDT

Both locations are now open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday and the number of guests who can visit at a single time is limited. Previously, guests could come to the lounge as walk-ins, but it was recommended that appointments be made to get some cat pets and snuggles. Now, reservations are required for entry.

“Java Cats will look and operate differently to comply with new state regulations. Please help support us with these changes. Can’t wait to see you all soon!” the Instagram post concluded.

Initially remaining open in March, Java Cats closed its two locations toward the end of that month. Despite Gov. Brian Kemp easing restrictions on businesses in April, the shop said it would not reopen just yet.

"We can't wait to get back to slingin' coffee and adopting cats MORE THAN ANYTHING.... but, we have made the difficult decision to wait to open when we feel it's socially responsible to do so," it said in an April 24 Facebook post. "Opening prematurely is something we don't want to even risk. Can't wait to see everyone soon and hope you guys understand why we have decided to delay opening at this time."

Before its reopening, the cafe posted updates about fostered and adopted cats and hosted livestreams as many people remained at home.

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