"Wow, despite the humidity, this city is pretty cool. Hey, did you see that adorable building shaped like a cat head? I believe I saw some fliers for it. They mentioned enjoying a hot drink while petting cats. We should check it out after our shopping spree." - A conversation overheard between two teens in a hotel foyer.
A Cafe With a Cause
Located in the northern market district of Kotimo is a peculiar business. The Cozy Corner cat cafe is a two story building shaped like a cat head. It is painted with calico markings. There are two windows on the second floor that act as the eyes of the face. Two rounded ears sit atop the building, but they do not serve a functional purpose. The cafe and its surrounding area is protected by a magical shield to make sure the cats do not get harmed or wander off. There is a small pedestal with a glass orb several feet in front of the entrance. Customers are asked to place a hand on it before entering. It glows blue and allows access if it detects no ill intentions. Potential threats cause it to glare a bright red and are politely asked to leave before other measures are taken.
Cozy Corner is ran and owned by an elven druid named Keijo. He is a skilled baker and barista. Felines are his favorite animal and when he decided to start his business, he took note of the numerous strays in the area. An idea struck his mind. Why not make a themed cafe that could serve a greater purpose? He partnered with local mages and artificers to ensure the building would be a safe haven for their cats. Keijo wanted them to be able to free roam the property without getting lost or injured. Thus the implementation of the shield and orb. One the cats' safety was ensured, he began taking in strays while also offering to house those from people who can no longer care for them. Customers are allowed to adopt these cats after a thorough background check. Keijo only keeps a minimum of his earned income; he puts a majority of it towards caring for the cats and donating to related charities.
Cats aren't the only subject Keijo wishes to benefit. He believes in sustainability, fair trade, and the ethical sourcing of materials. Before opening, he searched around for high quality ingredients that did not stem from destructive means. He typically buys from and supports smaller businesses. Charities he donates to usually support animal welfare, conservation efforts, and groups ensuring employees are not subject to deplorable conditions. He keeps in touch with his sources and makes regular visits to ensure conditions don't change.
Keijo also dislikes food waste and insecurity. Any usable leftovers he'll allow staff members to bring home. Otherwise, he'll give them to the local safe haven house ran by a friendly fae named Ester. On his off days he'll make a few desert trays to bring to local charities and shelters. He makes occasional donations to food closest and "adopts" several families in need during the
Harvest Close Festival to provide a week of hot meals and camaraderie. During the rest of the year he'll keep in touch and make sure they stay well.
A Cozy Interior
The cafe itself is located entirely on the first floor. Keijo and his wife Angel live in an apartment on the second level that they moved into after construction was completed. There are two main areas for customers: the main cafe and a side room for playing with cats after you finish eating/drinking. Patrons are allowed to pet and interact with cats that willingly come up to them, but are advised to keep actual play time inside the other room. In the cafe there is a mixture of large and small tables to accommodate different visitors. There are several plush couches and even bean bag chairs scattered about in both main areas. The order counter sits in the back; a door to the kitchen is on the wall behind it. There is a large glass display case to show off the baked goods one can buy with their drinks. Keijo takes pride in his work and makes fresh batches daily.
On top of comfortable seating, the Cozy Corner offers a few other services. There is free WiFi available to everyone. If you need access to a laptop for important work during your visit, there are four spread out at different tables. Keijo only requests you do not spill food or drink on them. Do you need background noise to work or have sensitive hearing that would otherwise turn you off from visiting? There are several pairs of noise canceling headphones that can play any music you desire. They come in different sizes and are super comfortable. Keijo cleans them between each use. For those with sensitive smell and sight, a smaller enchanted room is accessible through a doorway with a curtain on the back wall between the counter and the cat room. The magic affecting it lowers the impact of smell on its visitors. The lights in this room are always on a dimmed setting. There is a ramp at the entrance for easy mobility and wheelchair friendly tables as well. Keijo knows sign language and has a translator device if there are customers who speak a language he does not currently know. His staff is usually diverse, so it is rare to need to use it.
"I was tentative to join my friend at this new cafe that opened recently. It can be hard to find businesses that are accommodating to different needs. They assured me the owner was a delight and that I wouldn't have any problems. Upon entering I signed a brief greeting to the man and to my surprise, he gave me a broad smile and signed in return. I immediately relaxed and ordered a smoothie and cupcake without any problems before taking a seat on a couch next to a sleeping cat." - An excerpt from a message a young adult sent her mother after moving to a new city.
A Delicious Menu
The Cozy Corner offers three types of drinks and four different baked goods. Regular and flavored coffees are available in both hot and iced. They currently come in black/plain, mocha, hazelnut, and white chocolate caramel. Teas are also available as hot and cold with flavors such as black, green, bright berry, and herbal. Lastly, there are smoothies; tropical, berry burster, green delight, and strawberry banana are the current options. In the past year, Keijo added a new themed drink he dubbed the
Kittychino. It started as a week long promotion to increase customer interest that added a fun, new option to his small listing. The drink opened up honey gingerbread as a new flavor option as well. All drinks are served in different cat themed cups and mugs.
Keijo loves baking and offers adorable snacks to go along with his drinks. Customers can purchase macarons, doughnuts, cookies, and cupcakes. All deserts are available in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peach, and matcha. Each month he adds an additional flavor to cycle throughout the year. Notable bonus options include peanut butter, lemon, gingerbread, and red velvet. Some months he'll experiment with more interesting flavors for the extra option. Customers are free to leave suggestions of what they'd like to see. The macarons and cookies come in cute shapes like fish, paws, cat heads, and cat toys. The cupcakes and doughnuts are decorated with themed sprinkles and sometimes have cat faces iced on top.
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