Across the world, coffee shops have been popping up that provide customers not only a hot, delicious drink but also the company of cats. The Middle East is jumping on that bandwagon.
Two Saudi sisters have opened their cat cafe in Dubai on Thursday, Al Arabiya reported, their first business venture shortly after graduating college. Entrepreneurs Iman and Allaa Ahmed bin Farid al-Aulaqi launched their place after growing up with an "obsession" for felines. "Ailuromania Cafe" was named after the word that means "an intense enthusiasm for having many cats around," according to Al Arabiya.
The women said they were inspired by a photo a friend sent them of a cat cafe in South Korea. While they said they faced challenges — finding a place that would feel like "home" for the cats took six months — they eventually opened a cafe that houses 14 cats. Every animal holds its own living space that customers can't access, Iman said. It's a part of municipality rules enforced on the business.
But the customers still get plenty of chances to interact with the cats. The creatures have the freedom to roam around the establishment, even hopping up on tables to get food if customers aren't careful. For those uncomfortable with the interactions, there's a separate non-cat section of the restaurant.
Iman said exposure to businesses in her family as a young girl helped her prepare for the venture, but in the end it's about jumping in with both feet.
