ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Kelsey Eutsler and Stephanie Green, two veterinary technicians, turned their passion for animal welfare and love for coffee into a unique business: Toebeans Cat Café.
“I wanted to help cats in a way beyond just medical care,” said Green, one of the co-owners. “You see all these posts about cats needing homes, and while you want to help, there’s only so much space you can offer at home. This café lets us help in a different way.”
Eutsler, who has always dreamed of opening a coffee shop, was equally excited about merging her passion for coffee with her love for animals. “Adding animal welfare into it is a big plus,” she said.
Stepping into Toebeans Cat Café, visitors are greeted by the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and local pastries from the Roanoke CO-OP. The café’s warm, homey atmosphere is enhanced by children’s artwork displayed on the walls from local schools. “If I were a kid, I would love to see my art in a cat café,” Green said. “It’s something we’re proud of, and the goal is to sell these artworks and donate the proceeds to the schools’ art departments.”
The café’s motto is to provide a “homey feeling, a home away from home,” Eutsler explained, which is reflected in both the art and the welcoming environment.
The community has played a crucial role in the café’s creation, with support pouring in through social media and in-person visits. “We’re a business made by the community for the community,” Eutsler said, excited to meet the people who helped bring their vision to life. Green added, “We’ve had so many cheerleaders along the way. It’s been a journey, and we truly feel like family with the people who’ve supported us.”
Toebeans Cat Café also focuses on adoption. All the cats at the café are adoptable, with the café working alongside local shelters to help when they become overcrowded.
The grand opening of Toebeans Cat Café will take place on December 11, 2024, offering patrons the chance to relax with a cup of coffee while cozying up to adoptable cats.
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