EVER since I was a little kid, I had fancied the idea of owning a cat.
There would be cats of the neighbors that would go astray in our compound which my brother and I would pet, very much admiring how they were very adorable and behaved creatures. But since my brother was asthmatic we never owned a cat only until we were both in college. Ever since I can remember, we had dogs and there never was a moment that we didn’t have one.
With that, rare chance of having a cat or two or half a dozen of them swarming around me is something that is like a little kid’s dream in me.
The opening of Purrbox Café, Supplies, and Accessories Co. in Bajada, Davao City awakens this dream of every cat lover in the city. It is located in between Calle Cinco and Nissan Bajada.
Upon entering the café, I was greeted by a number of young friends sipping their own iced coffees and munching on their food. There are a variety of cakes to choose from with price ranges around P140 to P150. There are also coffee-based and non-coffee based drinks that the cat lovers can choose from before deciding to go up and play with the cats.
On the left side corner of the area are packs and packs of neatly displayed cat food for anyone who wish to buy their furball friend some food back home. There are also some accessories, food canisters, and cages among others that are available.
When coming in the café, make sure that you’re wearing socks as it is required of the visitors for sanitary purposes. This is a very important reminder as we won’t want anyone visiting the café and not ending up seeing the cats instead just because they weren’t wearing socks that time. Although, if you’re desperate, I discovered that the nearby convenience store is selling some good-to-go socks.
On the way up, which they call the Cat Studio, I instantly saw this furry cat, apparently named Yakuza curled up just a few steps near the door. The best thing I love about Yakuza, or cats in general, is their seemingly uninterested and aloof nature, which for me adds to the charm because basically there is nothing cuter than a breathing, moving fluff that doesn’t do anything but curl up in a corner and doesn’t actually beg for your attention.
There were five more cats roaming around strategically positioned in their own corners. Or maybe not roaming around, more like just curling up and idling the day off. There were three little kittens too which are just as cute and are also very playful and love to run around the entire area going through coffee table holes and tumbling against pillows.
Perhaps more than the food and the drinks offered in these cafes, the best thing about going into concept cafes like Purrbox Café, Supplies, and Accessories Co. is sharing and enjoying what you love with strangers who would instantly turn friends just because you’re both petting the same cat at the moment.
Concept cafés had started to mushroom and be popular in the city even before 2010 but these concepts had gotten more specific and intimate as the years went by. Being only one of its kind in Davao City, Purrbox Café, Supplies, and Accessories Co. was immediately warmly welcomed during its soft opening on May 6.
Now, with the fast positive reviews and posts on social media, the café continues to welcome more and more cat lovers in their shop from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.