Downtown cat café is fur real
Mad Catter Café to serve up coffee and feline adoptions in St. John’s; Dead Issue done at Posie Row & Co; Oceanic Releaf Inc. registers Burin cannabis production facility project
Friends of felines and cat lovers alike, rejoice: Newfoundland is getting its first cat café.
The Mad Catter Café aims to be a café and lounge where clients can visit, grab a cup of coffee and spend some time making friends with on-site kittens and cats.
Unlike similar models in Asian and European countries, where the cats are residents, the Mad Catter will follow the North American model where the business serves as a satellite adoption facility for a local organization.
“We believe that this provides the cats with a more relaxing living environment while they are waiting to be re-homed and allows potential adopters to interact with cats in a more natural setting where their personalities can shine,” proponent owners Joshua Eddy and Colin Williams wrote in a Facebook post about their new operation which will be located downtown at a location yet to be announced.
For those not interested in bringing a purr-fect friend home and those for whom it’s not pawssible, the café will be open to all visitors who just want to drop by and fill their kitty cuddle quota.
The Mad Catter will have paid staff handling the café side of the business, while relying on volunteers to oversee the cat lounge and be responsible for feeding the cats and ensuring they have a comfortable living environment. Hiring is expected to begin shortly with a goal of opening later this summer.
Dead Issue’s demise
One of the first tenants of Posie Row & Co, a collective of independent businesses in a restored heritage property in downtown St. John’s, has closed up shop.
Dead Issue, purveyors of clothing and curio of all things punk, rock, metal and counter-culture, announced on Facebook that the operation will be exiting stage-left at the end of July as a result of rising costs associated with taxes and duty on products imported from suppliers in the United States.
“Well, the American tariffs have officially killed us,” coowners Jenni Macpherson and Louis O’quinn wrote on the company’s Facebook page.
Dead Issue originally started out in its own space on the fourth-floor of the Tobin Building on Duckworth Street, but moved across the hall in March to share a larger space with Kyle Callahan Photography and Baddy Vinyl and their combined operation called Invasion, which
“We believe that this provides the cats with a more relaxing living environment while they are waiting to be re-homed and allows potential adopters to interact with cats in a more natural setting where their personalities can shine.” Joshua Eddy and Colin Williams
sells a selection of science fiction, fantasy, gaming and pop culture art and collectibles.
It’s important to note that Invasion isn’t going anywhere and will remain a part of the co-op with the rest of the small businesses that include Driven to Ink, Pinpoint Ink, Cast On Cast Off, Britaniola Artisan Soap, The Fabric Merchant and the Dabber Hashery.
Like most retail enterprises on their way out and as a thank you to its loyal customers, Dead Issue is having a going-out-of-business sale through to the end of the month with 40 per cent off all Sourpuss brand items — including clothing and purses — and rock band T-shirts are selling three for $50.
Panago not panning out?
Newfoundland’s only Panago location is closed. The question is whether the Mount Pearl pizzeria on Commonwealth Avenue is gone permanently or temporarily.
The store’s listing on Google indicates the former, but the call centre contracted to take the chain’s delivery orders says it’s a temporary closure with a planned re-opening this fall.
Owner Caroline Andrews could not be reached for comment.
Budding plans in Burin
Oceanic Releaf Inc.’s proposed cannabis production facility in Burin has been registered for an environmental assessment with the provincial government.
The company is planning to develop and operate the facility in the former High Liner Foods fish plant.
The proposal includes renovations of the interior of the 63,000-square foot structure to include two grow/flowering rooms as well as production rooms, offices, a warehouse and a packaging area.
The company, founded by St. Lawrence native Taylor Giovannini, estimates will cost $12 to $15 million to completely retrofit over two years.
Oceanic has already signed a binding letter of intent with HIKU Brands to secure funding for the first phase of development.
“It is anticipated that financing will be completed via a combination of equity investment and borrowing for Phase 2,” the registration document reads. “Accredited investors have already been identified and the company is actively working to secure adequate financing.”
Once in full production, the company estimates it will require 44 full-time employees.
The public has until Aug. 9 to submit comments on the development.
Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Andrew Parsons’ decision is due by Aug. 18.