September 5, 2024
Hang out with furry friends and enjoy coffee at the Purrfect Pair Cat Cafe – the first cat cafe in York County and only the fourth in South Carolina.
“Winthrop students should be excited about the cafe as a great place to work on schoolwork and to relax with cats,” Purrfect Pair Cat Cafe owner Inga Carey said.
The Purrfect Pair Cat Cafe – located at 1125 N Anderson Rd, Suite 101, Rock Hill, S.C., 29730 – features a great area for students to hang out, Carey said.
“We have high-speed internet, free wifi, charging ports, comfy chairs and fun drinks to sip while you’re working on a paper or meeting for a group project,” Carey said. “The cafe side is free to occupy, and the cat lounge admission provides the ‘purrfect’ brain break from your studies.”
To support students, the cafe offers a 15% discount for students who present a student ID. They also host College Nights every Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. to provide a safe space for students. However, students are also encouraged to visit the cafe during slower hours from 10 a.m – 2 p.m.
“Cat cafes are so great for college students, we have coffee to perk you up, cats to help you destress, and more cats to sit on your laptop,” Carey said.
While the cafe offers food and drink for all – such as coffee, slushies, cake pops, cookies and more – it also includes a storefront with cat themed goods.The coffee and snacks are provided by local businesses – including Forte Legato Coffee Company, K&M Sweets and The Magic Box.
Winthrop student and Purrfect Pair lead barista Allie Waterhouse created the standard specialty drinks for the cafe. Each month features different themed specialty drinks, with September featuring Taylor Swift themed drinks.
Not only does the cafe provide a great space for students, it provides cats a chance to find a forever home. Purrfect Pair partners with the Humane Society of York County to feature cats in the cafe, making the cats available for adoption.
“I think a big bonus is seeing the cats go to a really great home,” Purrfect Pair Cat Cafe employee Elliot Baker said.
Since their opening, 22 cats have been adopted from Purrfect Pair.
“Cats are amazing creatures that provide great companionship…” Carey said. “It is a long term commitment but I promise the love and joy you will feel for this animal enriches your life so much more than just going through it alone.”
Carey was inspired to create a cat cafe as a way to do good.
“After both of my parents passed away in 2020 and 2021, I received an inheritance that I didn’t just want to spend on frivolous things and started to search for ways to reinvest in the community,” Carey said.
She combined her love of cats with this desire to create Purrfect Pair – while working as a teacher at India Hook Elementary.
“It is definitely never a dull day with two very demanding jobs, but both are so rewarding in different ways and that’s what keeps me going,” Carey said.
Over 400 people visited on the cafe’s opening day, May 25th. Visitors can support the cafe by donating to the cafe and Humane Society.
“The cafe and HSYC can take donations of unopened food, litter, beds, toys, towels and more. We have a donation bin at the cafe that the HSYC volunteers get when they do regular checkups on the cats,” Carey said. “The best way to support the cafe is to stop by and see us and tell all your friends! Like us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and plan to support our small business.”
30 minute or hour long bookings in the cat lounge are available for purchase. 30 minute bookings cost $10.50 while hour long bookings cost $13.65 from Wednesday-Thursday and $16.80 from Friday-Sunday. Reservations for the cat lounge are encouraged for visitors. To book a reservation or learn more information about the cafe, visit https://www.purrfectpaircatcafe.com/ or call (803)-324-2287.
