Hobart Cat Cafe to close in November as owners look to future studies, family time
A cafe popular with Hobart’s feline-lovers will soon close its doors after eight years in business, with its purr-fect hosts set for a happy retirement. Why they’ve decided to close.
Tasmania
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The popular Hobart Cat Cafe, only the second of its kind in Australia, will close next month with its purr-fect hosts set for a happy retirement.
Sarah and Adam Honeyman set up the Elizabeth St cafe nearly eight years ago and have reluctantly decided not to renew their lease at the end of November.
They will instead focus on a better work and life balance with their daughter.
When they opened the cafe, a cat cafe had just opened in Melbourne and they were the first allowed to have cats and a full commercial kitchen and alcohol licence.
“We had both loved and cared for cats throughout our lives and thought how lovely it would be for people who can’t own a cat to be able to have a meal in this special place, surrounded by feline friends, as well as giving a much-needed home to some oddball rescue cats too,” Ms Honeyman said.
“We thought it’d be fun to have a place that felt like your own house, with books, toys, games, pets – everything.”
Of the 10 cats who were at the cafe when it opened in 2016, six of the original crew remain. Ms Honeyman says are all “vastly different in appearance and personality”.
“We have beautiful homes organised for them and the best part, we’ll be able to continue contact with all our babies,” she said.
“We’re so happy to see them moving towards a more typical house-cat life for the rest of their days. They’re so deserving of a restful, loving retirement.”
They say they will miss their loyal customers and staff.
“We’ll be sad to say goodbye to our amazing regular customers who’ve become good friends over many years.
“We’ve met so many beautiful, caring people and feel really privileged to have offered a place where folks from all walks of life can feel happy, comfortable and respected.”
Mr Honeyman plans to study archaeology, while Ms Honeyman wants to become a librarian.
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