Purrista Cat Cafe is a pioneering feline-friendly haven that opened in March 2022 as the city’s first cat cafe, founded by Erie native and cat enthusiast Dena Rupp. Partnered with Because You Care, Inc., this cozy spot typically houses 8-10 adoptable cats in a separate lounge, where guests can reserve 60-minute sessions for $15 or 30 minutes for $10 to play and connect with the kitties, having celebrated over 300 adoptions by February 2025. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the cafe side requires no reservations and offers North Edge Craft Coffee’s Purrista blend, lattes (including monthly specials like the “Smitten Kitten Latte”), teas, and local baked goods from Sundae Vegan Desserts, Crumb Cake Bakery, Herb & Honey, and Flower Kitchen, all in a modern, Wi-Fi-enabled space with a glass partition for cat viewing. Located downtown near Perry Square, this wheelchair-accessible cafe hosts events like yoga with cats, supports local businesses, and channels lounge fees into cat care, creating a purr-fect blend of coffee, community, and animal therapy for visitors aged 7+ (kids under 7 can peek from the cafe side).