Coffee, craft beer and cats: What to know about newest cat cafe opening near Charlotte

Chyna Blackmon
·2 min read

If you’re a fan of coffee, cats or both — good news: A new cat cafe is opening near Charlotte.

Mac Tabby Cat Cafe, known as half cat lounge and half coffee house, is bringing a new location in Salisbury, the team announced on social media.

The local coffee shop, Charlotte’s first cat cafe and the second in North Carolina, originally opened in Optimist Park in 2017 before moving to NoDa, then expanding to a second shop in Concord four years later. Since then, the team says over a thousand cats have been adopted through Mac Tabby Cat Cafe.

Now, plans are underway for the third and newest location set to open in downtown Salisbury near other restaurants and businesses, including South Main Book Company and Salisbury Wine Shop along with Bell Tower Green.

“Salisbury has a pedestrian-friendly historic downtown that features independently owned shops and unique experiences with that close-knit ‘old town feel,’ owner Lori Konawalik said. “It also has a buzz of excitement with the recent growth of new opportunities. Appreciating and preserving history while embracing what’s to come is just the kind of energy we like to be a part of.”

Similar to the other two locations, the Salisbury spot will be split with a cat lounge filled with adoptable cats from Princeton’s Meow Rescue Twelve ready to roam around, play and cuddle until adopted. The cafe, located in a separate space, will offer coffee, wine, craft beer and more.

The cat room at Mac Tabby Cafe in NoDa.
The cat room at Mac Tabby Cafe in NoDa.

“Mac Tabby was founded on the unique idea of bringing together good energy, good people, great coffee, craft beer and cats,” Konawalik previously told CharlotteFive.

Mac Tabby Cat Cafe owner Lori Konawalik at the NoDa cafe.
Mac Tabby Cat Cafe owner Lori Konawalik at the NoDa cafe.

The family-friendly cafe is open to anyone 7 years and older during regular business hours, without or without a visit to the cat lounge. Guests are able to visit the cats at any time, but reservations are recommended, especially during the holidays and weekends.

An official opening date has yet to be announced, but it’s set to open in 2024.

Mac Tabby Cat Cafe

Location: 103 S. Main St, Salisbury, NC 28144

Instagram: @mactabbycatcafe

Mac Tabby Cat Cafe has a cafe space offering coffee and craft beer, and a separate cat lounge featuring adoptable cats you can play with.
Mac Tabby Cat Cafe has a cafe space offering coffee and craft beer, and a separate cat lounge featuring adoptable cats you can play with.