Downtown South Bend is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 28 in honor of The Cat Lady Café. Since opening a year ago, the café has found homes for 90 cats.
Owner Kim Sult was inspired to open the business after visiting a cat café when she traveled to London in 2017. She believed a similar concept would be popular in South Bend.
Guests at The Cat Lady Café make reservations to play with cats. The cats are all adoptable through the Humane Society of St. Joseph County. Guests can enjoy a beverage or light meal while engaging with the cats. The café has hosted people from 9 to 99 years old.
Sult has been passionate about animal welfare and cat rescue for years. She volunteered with the Humane Society for 15 years and has served on the board of directors since 2009.
“I’ve spent my career working for nonprofits doing events and fundraising but have always had an interest in being my own boss,” Sult said in a press release.
In 2020, Sult enrolled in the SPARK Program at St. Mary’s College. In the program, she learned about the financial, marketing and business development aspects of operating a small business. She put those skills into practice and opened The Cat Lady Café.
The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting event at 10 a.m. March 28. After the ceremony, attendees can stay for a brief tour. The event will take place at The Cat Lady Café at 401 E. Colfax Ave. in South Bend.
Downtown South Bend is a nonprofit organization. It is governed by a board of downtown business owners, residents, business leaders, the University of Notre Dame and city officials. The organization’s mission is to promote the downtown South Bend area.
