What It's Like Opening a Cat Cafe
Documentation of everything that happens from when I sign the lease to opening day. I signed the lease in March of 2024 and we hope to open in the Fall. I will continue to add videos weekly until we're open.
At least 1 video/week explaining that week’s tasks in more detail.
Links to Google Doc outline where I list out everything in that week’s videos
Links to the planning tools I’m using like my lease, business plan, architect drawings, permit applications, SOPs, etc.
Leave questions in the comments and I’ll address them in later videos
Depending on how many people find this series helpful, I may also do a second series after opening with weekly videos/sales figures/how it’s going/etc.
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Week 2 Course Video
29m
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Week 3 Course Video
33m
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Week 4 Course Video
27m
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Week 5 Course Video
37m
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Week 6 Courve Video
31m
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Week 7 Course Video
19m
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Week 8 Course Video
26m
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Week 9 Course Video
22m
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Week 10 Course Video
30m
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Week 11 Course Video
27m
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Week 12 Course Video
22m
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Week 13 Course Video
28m
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Week 14 Course Video
11m
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Week 15 Course Video
30m
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Week 16 Course Video
15m
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Week 19 Course Video
10m
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Week 21 & 22 Course Video
10m
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Week 26 Course Video
17m
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Week 28 Course Video
14m
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Week 29 Course Video
10m
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Week 32 Course Video
6m 9s
Worked on salvaged doors
Construction price went up another $6k for water heater and grease trap - WTF
Waiting to hear if we can buy/install some of the lighting fixtures ourselves to make up some of that money
Waiting to hear if there are any other price increases we should expect
Talked to one ... -
Week 33 Course Video
15m
Ordered lighting, sinks, bar/counter tops
Incandescent vs LED fixtures/bulbs - meeting watt requirements
Drain boards temp out of stock
Etsy for bar top, IKEA for butcher block
Finished painting/staining reclaimed doors
Purchased remaining hardware
New spindles are slightly larger than old spind... -
Week 34 Course Video
26m
Finished repairing porch/bar posts
Assembled cat shelf furniture
Contractor tried to not credit me for several huge items and charge me extra for several items that were already in the plans. Lots of emailing back and forth and architect is getting involved.
Stray cat literally walked into our ... -
Week 35 Course Video
18m
Added holiday board games to kickstarter late pledge rewards
Emailed contractor about door framing that’s the wrong size and extra bracing needed for countertop
Confirmed sizing requirements for front bar top for craftsmen
Getting info on back bar wall material requirements and may add another st... -
Week 36 Course Video
30m
Carpenter had more questions about cat doors
Continued working on reclaimed windows
Had to choose sconce height
Health department rejected vinyl wallpaper
Worked on SOPs, volunteer job description, harassment and discrimination policy
Planned out what accounts first contractor payment is coming f... -
Week 37 Course Video
6m 31s
Likely won’t get sponsorships right now bc social media following isn’t big enough
Continued work on repairing reclaimed windows and cutting down countertop
Mapped out seating in cat lounge
Extended $1/day Facebook ad
Continued posting weekly construction progress updates on IG/FB
Still working o... -
Week 38 Course Video
20m
Won the $10k grant from city
Not really a grant, but still $10k
Cat at rescue got paw stuck in collapsible cage and now may need to have leg amputated.
Local board game design competition asked cafe to sponsor a prize
Ending late pledges mid Dec
Holiday week - not much construction completed
Rec...