This September, a Lower Manhattan storefront will transform into a pop-up bodega built specifically for cats, complete with free treats, games, prizes, and a break room designed for felines. The space will be open for three days, and entry is entirely free.
From September 17 through September 19, the Temptations Cat Bodega will be open at 213 Bowery. It operates every day from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET, turning the venue into an experience based on the felines that are known for lounging behind counters and wandering the aisles of NYC bodegas.
Heidi Gardner, who works as both a comedian and an actress, joined forces with Temptations for the occasion. She described the setup as meant to hold onto the feeling of a standard bodega found in New York City.
“The magic of a true NYC bodega is that it’s the only place on earth where you can buy an iced coffee, long-stem roses, and cat treats all in one stop,” Gardner said. “And if you’re really lucky, the 22-year-old cat who actually owns the store might acknowledge your existence. I love how the Temptations Cat Bodega has nailed the hometown energy, but this time, the bodega cat gets to be the total center of attention.”
The Store Inside the Store
The pop-up is built with bodega cats at its core, according to Temptations, which explains the cat-themed merchandise that fills the shelves alongside the activities running throughout the store.
Free Temptations Classic Treats and Lickable Puree await visitors to take home with them. Among the games on offer are a claw machine and scratch-off tickets, both of which give players a chance to win Cat Bodega merchandise.
A full-size cat condo is part of the display “break room.”, along with other cat-themed spaces that reimagine a bodega from a feline point of view.
The Virtual Version for Everyone Else
Those who live beyond New York City can take part in a virtual form of the Cat Bodega instead. The digital event is running from September 17 until September 26.
The online gathering features a digital scratch-off game offering prizes and goods. Attendees may give virtual treats to felines employed at shops, corner stores, and other locations across the nation.
The site lasts just three days. Getting in costs nothing, and neither do the cat snacks on offer.
Real Bodega Cats Who Became Stars
Several store cats have become attractions in their own right, and this pop-up follows those cases.
A grocery store cat named Noodle was recently permitted to resume his customary position after being absent. The decision followed significant public reaction from shoppers, along with an online petition demanding his reinstatement.
An employee adopted a cat named Leo, who then became a regular presence at a Home Depot in New Jersey. The feline frequently walks through the store, meets shoppers, and has been given the name “employee of the year” by people following him online.
What to Know Before You Go
The Cat Bodega doesn’t cost anything, but the event itself is brief. It lasts just three days, and each day’s operating time is capped at six hours.
- Location: 213 Bowery, Lower Manhattan
- Dates: September 17 through September 19
- Hours: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET daily
- Admission: Free
- Free items: Temptations Classic Treats and Lickable Puree
- Activities: Claw machine, scratch-off tickets, life-sized cat condo
- Virtual version: September 17 through September 26
This gathering honors a cherished custom of New York City, with the feline resident of the local corner store taking the starring role.
For three days, they get the spotlight entirely to themselves.
Key Facts Box
- Dates: September 17–19 (physical); September 17–26 (virtual)
- Hours: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET daily
- Location: 213 Bowery, Lower Manhattan
- Admission: Free
- Free treats: Temptations Classic Treats and Lickable Puree
- Prizes: Cat Bodega merchandise via claw machine and scratch-offs
Because it’s a short run, those who want to see it will need to plan ahead. The bodega cat has at last received its due — treats, games, and all.
Source: dexerto.com
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