New Jersey’s first cat cafe, Rahway Kitty Hall, opened in downtown Rahway, hosting a grand opening earlier this month.
Rahway Kitty Hall takes over a space at 209 W. Main St., next to Jersey Fried Chicken, which formerly was occupied by Redemption Tattoo.
The cat cafe partners with Angel Paws, a Colonia-based pet adoption center, to showcase cats that are available for adoption. Kitty Hall is a place where you can meet cats and get to know cats that are up for adoption, though it’s not a shelter. Nor is it a cat day care or a place where you can bring stray cats.
Cat cafes began in Taiwan as a way for apartment dwellers not allowed to have pets could “get their cat fix” and read a book, surf the web, have some coffee or socialize while enjoying the company of a feline. Still don’t it it? Check out their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Two more cat cafes are slated to open New Jersey: Catsbury Park in Asbury Park and PURRsonal Space in Palmyra.
Among other retail and commercial openings and closings since Q4 2016 :
- After a few weeks of renovations, Fresh Fish Market opened in December in the former Skaff Pharmacy space at the corner of East Cherry and Main streets (90 E. Cherry St./1510 Main St.). Skaff Pharmacy relocated about three years ago into a new space as part of the St. Georges Shopping Center.
- Haruka Sushi opened last month at 75 E. Cherry St., and as of yesterday started serving lunch in addition to dinner. A sushi place is a nice addition to downtown, and has long been a discussion topic among readers on the blog.
- Uruguma Herbalife, 1563 Irving St., a smoothie/herbal life shop offering aloe vera drinks, teas, and shakes, hosted a grand opening this month.
- Bug Ex relocated across the street, from 1468 Irving St. to 1475 Irving St., which previously home to Anyae’s Intimate Apparel, which only lasted a few months. Before that, the space was occupied by a paper shredding service and a couple of other apparel shops after Charlie’s Flowers and Gourmet Baskets left in 2010 after almost a decade.
Two other places are expected to open in the near future: Cindy’s Flower Shop at 74 E. Cherry St., and D’oh, a coffee house and bagel shop in the former space of Wick’d Flame at 77 E. Milton Ave., which vacated in 2012.
Rahway Spine and Health late last year moved into 1521 Irving St., in Park Square, previously occupied by Diesel Fitness, which moved to a Main Street location last year. Rahway Spine and Health is planning to expand into the adjacent space, formerly the location of Kennedy Jewelers on the corner of Elm Avenue, according to the Rahway Arts and Business Partnership.