First Cat Cafe Opens In Gwinnett County

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA—Do you enjoy a good beer, homemade pies, sandwiches and adorable kitties eager to greet you when you arrive for a nice meal? If so, then we know the purr-fect place for you. It's called the Catfe, and it is the very first of its kind in Gwinnett County.

The owners, Brittany and Roger Marmol, celebrated its grand opening last month and told WXIA-TV that they look forward to bringing something unique to the area.

"We had to jump through quite a few hoops and ordinances to get the go-ahead, but we hope its a place that fosters a sense of community," Brittany told the news station.

According to the owners, The Catfe is a place for friends and family to come together to share good food and drinks, their kitties just happen to live there. Brittany says she and her husband got the idea for the business after backpacking around Europe.

"As fate would have it we were walking around a neighborhood in Rome and Brittany noticed a cafe in the corner with what she thought was a cat in the window. Turns out it was," Roger said. "We absolutely love the sense of community we felt and experienced. We decided we had to bring back to the United States."

Sugar, Cinnamon, Biscuit and Basticat are clearly the cafe's main attraction and as patrons will tell you, they have lots of personality.

"Cinnamon jumped on the table after eyeing my tuna sandwich for several minutes! I 'invited' her to stay on the floor. That girl has a wild streak but we like rascal cats!" one patron posted on social media.

Patrons can enjoy various local meats, cheeses, pastries, sandwiches and more - all while being in the company of the owners' furry felines. The "stars of the cafe" can often be found lounging on ottomans and cat towers throughout the first floor of the two-story home turned cafe. The front of the cafe features a screened-in patio for both humans and felines. The second floor includes a private room that can be rented out for events.

"Our purpose is to build a community to change the future. We will help build a better world by being living examples to others. The Catfe will be part of the change," Roger wrote on the couple's website. "A place to come with friends, family, meet new friends, and have a good time. Connect, discuss and be part of the change you want to see in the world."

The Catfe is located at 426 Bethesda School Rd. in Lawrenceville and is open Monday through Saturday.

To learn more about The Catfe, click here.