AMIDST A REVIVAL ON EAST NORTH AVE, THE PURRRFECT LOCATION!

Sip & Purr, Milwaukee’s first cat café, is excited to announce they have signed a lease with New Land Enterprises at 2021 E. Ivanhoe Place on Milwaukee’s East Side.

North Avenue has experienced a resurgence with the recent openings of Fresh Fin Poke, The Waxwing, Izzy Hops, Kawa Ramen & Sushi, Yoga Six and nearby businesses like Good City Brewing. Milwaukee Film committed to a long term lease at the Oriental Theater, taking over operations this summer. And recently a new poke restaurant was announced to fill the former Hotch space at 1813 E. Kenilworth as well. Tim Gokhman, of New Land Enterprises, says this neighborhood development, while expected, is happening quicker than anticipated. “We always knew this neighborhood was yearning for more – we have such an incredibly diverse and strong consumer base around here. Families, students, young professionals, empty nesters. But the strength and mix of new businesses coming in to snap up the available storefronts has been amazing.” Gokhman also said a lease is nearly finalized for the former Alpha Cleaners space, and a deal is in the works for the former Rosati’s space.

THE BLACK CAT CONNECTION

Centrally located on the East Side, what better place for a cat café than adjacent to Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee’s famous open-air mural art gallery? “We couldn’t have picked a better spot for Sip & Purr,” says Katy McHugh, owner and founder. “Our guests can stroll down Black Cat Alley, stop into our café for a drink and a small bite to eat, and visit with our adoptable cats free-roaming in the Cat Lounge ....it doesn’t get much better than that.”

MILWAUKEE’S FIRST CAT CAFE

Sip & Purr will be Milwaukee’s first cat café. Cat cafés, a growing worldwide trend, are a unique way for customers to enjoy a cup of coffee or snack while decompressing with a furry friend. Potential adopters can interact with our cats in a relaxing environment and visualize how that cat will fit in at their home. The Cat Lounge at Sip & Purr is also a neighborhood cat adoption center conveniently located on the East Side, close to Downtown and the North Shore areas. “There’s a lot of untapped potential to get these cats adopted into loving homes, and that’s exactly what we’re setting out to do,” says McHugh. “Providing the adoptable cats with a stress-free, cage-less living area from the get-go really helps their personalities shine through, ultimately resulting in more adoptions,” states McHugh. All of our cats will arrive from partner Lakeland Animal Shelter, fully vetted and ready for new homes.

Lakeland Animal Shelter has been using the cage-less open cat colony concept to facilitate adoptions for over 15 years. “We couldn’t have asked for a better rescue partner. They are truly an expert at this concept. “ Adoptable cats won’t be the only thing keeping people coming back. Sip & Purr will offer wine, Ruby coffee, small bites and sweet treats. Folks get to decide whether to enjoy their goodies in the (cat-free) café, where keeping with health code standards, no cat has ever stepped paw, or in the Cat Lounge in the company of adoptable cats.

Sip & Purr will be the first in Milwaukee to use Ruby Coffee Roasters, of Nelsonville, WI. Now served in some of the best cafes from New York City to Los Angeles, Ruby Coffee is roasted in small batches with the discerning customer in mind. “We’re so excited to offer our guests something they can’t get anywhere else in this area. Ruby Coffee is just what Milwaukee needs to get their caffeine fix,” says McHugh.

“The outpouring of support from the community since going public with plans to open Milwaukee’s first cat cafe is more than we ever dreamed of. We couldn’t be doing this without you,” says McHugh, speaking of the community of Milwaukee. Sip & Purr plans to open in early summer of 2018.

For more information: visit sipandpurr.com, or follow them on social media at: facebook.com/sipandpurrmke, twitter.com/sipandpurrMKE, and instagram.com/sipandpurrmke