River Cat Cafe To Close Sept. 30

NEW HOPE, PA — New Hope's River Cat Cafe is closing as of Sept. 30 following an ongoing dispute with the zoning officials.

River Cat Cafe is owned by Alison Kingsley, a New Hope Borough Council member. A recent decision by the borough's Zoning Hearing Board that the S. Main Street business is not authorized to serve food has caused Kingsley to close up for good due to the "cost and uncertainty" of pursuing an appeal," the business announced in a social media post last week.

"We would like to acknowledge the incredible support shown by the local community for an enterprise that was intended to be for the local community. In a short time we won Best Breakfast in Bucks, became a destination café, and created a brand, and served 60,000 patrons breakfast and lunch."

Kingsley left the possibility open for an "incarnation" of the cafe.

"Because cats have 9 lives, we urge you to keep your eyes open for the next incarnation of the River Cat," the Facebook post said.