WE DID IT!
over 7 years ago – Fri, Mar 31, 2017 at 08:11:14 PM

Friends, this is INCREDIBLE! 

We're blown away by the support you've given us. This Kickstarter was the 3rd most backed cat cafe - IN THE WORLD! 

Thank you to all of you for sending cat memes to brighten our days, notes of encouragement, sharing our project with friends, and financially making this happen for Dayton. We're so proud of our city!

Next steps!

Expect a survey from us soon (April 10th) to help collect all the information we need to fill the rewards! We will ask exactly what name you'd like on the Pawrtner wall, t-shirt sizes and style (you can choose between the logo tee or the special Kickstarter design), cat names, and any other details we might need! We plan to give you all 2 weeks to answer so that we can get the rewards to everyone in a timely manner!

For our local friends, we plan to have some merch pick up events, around the week of May 15th, and going until we open. If you aren't in the local area, we'll plan to begin shipping around early May. 

We're looking to open around July, and we will update with a more final date as soon as we get through our health department approval and building plans approved. You can always wait to pick up your merch on your visit if you'd prefer, as well! 

We will keep everyone in the loop as we progress! We can't wait to see you all there this summer! 

Again, thank you all for helping bring this to life, from us but also on behalf of all the future cats whose lives will be saved and improved!

-Karin and Sabrina

33 Hours Left + Welcome New Backers!
over 7 years ago – Wed, Mar 29, 2017 at 08:49:16 PM

Hi Friends! 

With 33 mere hours left, we are only $556 away from hitting our stretch goal of separated HVAC systems! Our next stretch goal is a chair lift on the stairs to make the community space upstairs accessible for everyone. As a place meant to be inclusive for all, we would love to hit $36,000 and have the funds for this on opening day. If we don't make it, we will leave room for it and install it later. 

Since we've gotten so many new backers this week (welcome and thank you!), and have only 33 hours left, we're putting out the plea to please share with your friends through any and all means necessary! Many people in Dayton still don't know about Gem City Catfé, and even some Catfé supporters don't know about our Kickstarter. Please share on social media, tag some friends, through emails to people that may enjoy it, texting, or even face to face talking! Some people may be intimidated about using Kickstarter, so please consider sharing that it was an easy experience or help someone walk through it! 

Thank you all for helping us hit our stretch goals for built in furniture and hidey holes, Wright Flyer cat tree, and elevated cat walks! A fun little journey through the last month: 

 Thank you Dayton for your support!

-Karin and Sabrina, and our newly adopted cat (still nameless and being called Mr. Baby - naming rights still available through Kickstarter!)

Zoning Variance APPROVED!
almost 8 years ago – Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 08:06:58 PM

GREAT NEWS! Our Zoning Variance was approved tonight! 

This was one of our biggest risks and we're really excited to be able to move forward. We're grateful to the City of Dayton for helping us navigate the process and for all the support we've received from all of you. Thank you for voicing your opinions and making this possible! 

How to Add Names in the Pawrtner Wall

We've had a lot of questions about adding multiple names, or different names than the one on your Kickstarter account, on the Pawrtner Wall. You can add as many names as you'd like, just add $10 per name by hitting "Manage Your Reward". At the end of the Kickstarter campaign, we will send a survey to gather information like names for the Pawrtner Wall, T-Shirt sizes and design, and cat names. 

New Reward Level!

We have reduced the Resident Cat Naming Rights to $500, and added the naming rights for our second Resident Cat (also $500). Both include 2 VIP Party Tickets, and all the rewards below. We don't have the second Resident Cat yet, but we know they will be a wonderful kitty cat! 

Also, only 58 hours left in Kickstarter - ah!

Please help us blast the word out to anyone and everyone in the next 58 hours! It's crunch time! 

As always, thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for making Dayton's cat cafe so successful already! 

SECOND STRETCH GOAL REACHED!
almost 8 years ago – Mon, Mar 27, 2017 at 03:44:40 PM

Hi friends and fellow cat lovers! We're thrilled to share that we've reached our second stretch goal! We'll now be installing a Wright Flyer cat tree and elevated cat walks to ensure the most enriching, and also beautiful, environment for both cats and hoomins!

 What's next?

Stretch goal #3 is less cute but still seriously important! If we hit $32,000 we will be able to install separate HVAC systems in the cafe and the cat lounge. This will help us avoid any air crossing between the spaces which will eliminate any risk of contamination, allergies, or unwanted smells that may waft from the litterbox area (in the basement). 

Just in case!

If you want to attend our VIP Party, there is only one set of tickets left! You can change your reward level by clicking "Manage your Pledge". This will be the first night anyone enters the catfe and a super fun party with all things cats! 

Only 3 days left! 

We don't know how this is happening, time is flying by! Thank you everyone for your support by backing our project, sending encouragement online, coming to our events, and telling your friends. We're so incredibly proud of Dayton and the love you've all shown this project. Thanks for helping us spread the word and we look forward to seeing all we can accomplish in the next 3 days! 

-Karin and Sabrina

New Reward!
almost 8 years ago – Mon, Mar 20, 2017 at 08:55:40 PM

Hi Friends!

We have added a new reward: "Resident Cat Naming Rights"!

While we will have 10 adoptable rescue cats from the Humane Society living in the lounge, we will also have 2 cats that are adopted by Gem City Catfé. Our residents will live on site and help be the mascot for rescue cats and the welcoming committee for both human and feline visitors! This reward lets you name the first of our resident cats, currently called Cowboy, from his time at The Humane Society of Greater Dayton.

INCLUDES: 2 VIP Party Tickets Kickstarter T-Shirt Membership + Name a Cat Early Entry Pawrtner Wall

Here's a picture of our adorable new best friend: 

If you've already pledged, you can easily log in to manage your pledge and adjust to select a new reward, or any add on items! 

Thank you all for your support and encouragement! We think people are really taking notice of how awesome Dayton has been in helping this project get off the ground, and we're so proud to call it home. 

Warm wishes,

-Karin and Sabrina