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There’s something new in Downtown Paragould – Something Pawsitive.
Located next door to Something Sweet, its “sister” business, Something Pawsitive is the only cat lounge in Arkansas – though it is not the first of its kind. In recent years, cat cafés have become more common in the United States as business owners blend the concept of restaurant and rescue.
While on a trip to South Carolina with her daughter, Something Pawsitive owner Tracy Mothershed said they visited one of these commodities and she fell in love with the idea.
“There just wasn’t a way to make it happen in my current space,” Tracy shared. “But when the building next to me became available for rent, I jumped on the opportunity.”
Next door to the old downtown building her cupcake/sweet shop occupies certainly seemed like the ideal solution. But it wasn’t a simple conversion. The original plan was to put in a connecting door between Something Sweet and Something Pawsitive, but due to health department regulations, even separate spaces divided by a door was not an option. The hurdle wasn’t enough to keep the cat lounge from happening, though.
At Something Sweet, patrons can order coffee or a treat, then pay to enter the cat cafe. Upon being let in next door, visitors can lounge in the company of the felines and enjoy the coffee house vibe – and WiFi of course – at Something Pawsitive.
The cat lounge/café brings a unique element to the blossoming Downtown Paragould. With plenty of shopping and multiple dining opportunities, the space is an inviting attraction that makes locals and visitors alike want to spend more time in the district. Tracy believes small businesses and downtowns are what add character to communities. More shops, restaurants and things to do help create a destination location.
Improving the downtown scene by offering something unique isn’t the only part of the venture that makes a positive impact; the cats occupying the lounge are not residents, but rescues looking for their furrever home.
“I knew I wanted Something Pawsitive to be a temporary foster home for the cats, a place for them to socialize and get used to being around people,” Tracy explained. A partnership developed between the bakery and a local rescue, Ozzie’s Legacy, who immediately jumped on board. “Paragould has a high number of homeless cats and feral cat colonies but does not have a cat shelter. [Ozzie’s Legacy] rescues cats and has them in various foster homes which makes it difficult for potential new owners to meet them.”
At Something Pawsitive, patrons can spend time with the cats before deciding if one is right for their family.
The space has an industrial look with brick walls and pipes that help support platforms for the cats. It features mid-century modern furniture in rich, soothing colors. Ample climbing structures and shelves provide a dream playground. And a separate private room allows the tenants a safe place to get away from the other cats, or humans, if they are not feeling social.
“Everything we placed in the room had the cats’ well-being as a priority,” Tracy said.
Something Pawsitive is open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spend the “purrfect” day by picking up a treat – caffeinated for study warriors and digital nomads, or perhaps a baked good to enjoy while catching up with a friend. Then visit this cat lounge located at 223 A S Pruett Street in Downtown Paragould.
Follow Something Pawsitive on Facebook to find out more.
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I will surely visit
I am from Jackson Tennessee. Animals are the best stress relief there is.