By Thomas Hagerty
Coffee and cats? Perfect together! Just ask Cindy Skop.
“I’ve been a cat lover since birth,” she says.
Now she and her husband, Barry Ennis, have parlayed that passion into Lakeland’s new Kitty Cat Lounge.
After a distinguished 30-year career as a photojournalist, Skop found herself at a crossroads due to changes in the newspaper business. Then, after visiting a cat-themed coffee shop in St. Augustine in 2021, lightning struck.
“I thought, this is it! This is my passion. This is what I want to do. So I took the idea and ran with it.”
Before starting her sprint, however, Skop, who had never owned a business, had help from advisors at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Agency, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“They were all great and provided lots of help,” she says.
Open since September 12, the Kitty Cat Lounge offers coffee, tea, food, and, of course, cats. Visitors can spend time petting and playing with the felines, all of which are up for adoption.
And, like Skop, the new lounge has made a running start.
“Word of mouth has been good,” she says. “We’re in primarily a residential neighborhood so we have a lot of foot traffic, which has led to many repeat customers. And so far we’ve had seven kittens adopted!”
Allergic to cats? No worries. The Kitty Cat Lounge has separate ventilation for the cat room.
Located in a renovated home at 946 Orange St., the building offers a comfortable atmosphere where people can hang out, read, play chess listen to music, and so on.
“People say that when they enter they feel like they’re in their grandma’s living room,” says Skop. “Then they walk further in and feel as if they’ve stepped into grandma’s kitchen.”
In keeping with that family atmosphere, she takes pride in partnering with local food and beverage companies.
“Everything we offer is made in the community. We have the best coffee in town bar none. We use Ethos Roasters, and we make some of our own special coffee drinks instead of simply looking up recipes on the internet.
“What’s on our menu? We have no idea,” she says. “Come in and be surprised.
“Lakeland has world-class bakers and chefs. You can expect croissants, brownies, and maybe a cookie from the Meraki Bakehouse. The cheesecake from 3 Jays Sweets is to die for. Chocolate Covered brings us, well, goodies covered in chocolate. Along with our luxurious coffee, Southern Baby Juices offers tasty and healthy all-natural juices. What could be better than a cappuccino and a kitty?”
The Kitty Cat Lounge has also started a Crochet Night and has plans for a possible book club, game night, and movie night.
Despite the risk of starting a business, Skop strongly believes the lounge will become a vital part of the community, a place where everyone is welcome.
“My family and I have sunk everything we have–and a lot more that we don’t have–to create this place for you to come to hang out, enjoy something yummy to eat or drink, enjoy a kitty, and maybe find a place in your heart and home for another family member.
“And hey, if you think the Kitty Cat Lounge sounds like a strip joint, cool. Come be surprised!”
Looks so inviting! Congrats, Cindy & Barry!