Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Costello.
Hi Mary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’d first heard of the concept of a “cat cafe” a little over 10 years ago. They had become popular in Japan and I believe the first cat cafe had just opened here in the States. In 2018, I visited a cat cafe in Sweden that had the sweetest feline residents and dreamed of opening my own version in Kansas, but as a kitten foster volunteer & advocate in animal rescue, I wanted to feature adoptable cats.
I’ve worked in marketing since 2006 for a local concert booking & promoting agency and graduated from KU with a degree in Visual Communications. My passion, however, has always been in animal welfare, particularly neonatal kittens so I started volunteering at shelters in Lawrence & Kansas City as a kitten foster volunteer. I always enjoyed finding creative ways to help find homes for my kittens. In 2020, I tested the concept of featuring adoptable kitties in cute, themed window displays of downtown Lawrence businesses through a project I called Mass. Street Kitten Academy. The community was incredibly supportive and adoptions far exceeded my expectations. I was confident in the concept, but lacked experience in the service industry so I knew I needed a partner. I met Brittanie in 2022 and we discovered we both had the same vision for a cat cafe which could serve as a community space that brings joy to both cats & people.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Since we were the first cat cafe in Lawrence and the state of Kansas to apply for both a food & animal shelter license, it was definitely a challenge explaining the concept to the City and Department of Agriculture. We had to come up with some creative ways to design the layout of the space in order to stay in compliance with food & safety regulations without the cafe feeling like two completely separate spaces. We also wanted the cafe part of the space to be accessible to all, even those with cat allergies. This mean installing a completely separate ventilation system in the cat enclosure.
We also knew that we would have adoptable cats with varying temperaments who would need to acclimate to the space or be in a state of transition from previous situations so we wanted to be very mindful of creating a space that makes them feel safe and supports their needs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a passionate animal welfare advocate and kitten foster volunteer with a focus on neonatal care & socialization. I have always aspired to combine my love of cats & community. In 2023, my business partner, Brittanie, and I opened Espurresso Cat Cafe, a cozy coffee shop where visitors can enjoy their favorite drinks & fresh baked goods while spending time with adoptable cats.
Beyond the cafe, I have 20 years experience working in marketing & live music with a degree in Visual Communications from the University of Kansas. My work blends art, compassion and community in spaces where people (and felines) can connect in meaningful ways.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think compassion is a characteristic that is essential to working with animals and the community as well as the ability to adapt, evolve and remain committed to doing your part in making a positive difference in the world.
Pricing:
- Purrlor pass options are $10 for 30 minutes or $15 for an hour per person. These costs go towards helping us house and care for our kitties. We do not collect fees on adoptions as those go directly towards Lawrence Humane Society.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.espurressocatcafe.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espurressocatcafelfk/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspurressoCatCafeLFK
