The First Spark: How Purr Vida Lounge Began!

Miss Meow
Aug 27
2 min read

September 2023. That’s when I finally leapt into the unknown — claws out, tail high! 🐱✨ I decided to rent inside the Village Commercial Center, right next to CRIA International School.

Now, this little hidden gem had a strange vibe… quiet enough that people thought it was abandoned. But I saw something else: it was next to a big international school = lots of kids and families! Plus, new businesses were starting to sprout up like little shoots of green. And deep in my heart, I always had this place in mind for something magical.

So I went big: I rented three spaces and combined them into one large, open lounge with a separate kitchen. Why three? Because Miss Meow never thinks small. 😹

Learning from Tokyo (What Not to Do)

Confession time: I had only ever been to one cat café before — in Tokyo, of all places. And honestly? It sucked. 🙀

Not many cats.
The ones there were hiding, scared stiff.
Tiny room. No couch. No cozy vibe.
You just sat on the floor awkwardly with a box drink from a vending machine and one sad little piece of candy.

Oh, and the price tag? Around $30 per person. Yep. For… that.

I walked out of that café thinking: Cats deserve better. People deserve better.

So when it came time to design my own, I made a promise: No sad box drinks. No scared kitties. No empty rooms.

My Vision: More Purr than Hiss! 🐾

I wanted to create something totally opposite: a lounge where cats and humans could relax together, where laughter and smiles filled the air, where love was shared across species. A place of Zen energy, sparkling crystals, gentle fountains, cozy couches, cupcakes, and of course… cats! ✨

More purr than hiss. 💕

So I pulled out my trusty 3D architectural design program and began to create. Every corner, every flow, every cozy nook was planned not just for humans but for whiskers, tails, and paws.

3D view of Purr Vida Lounge Prospective Drawing

The Build 🛠️🐱

Once the design was ready, my husband and his construction team rolled up their sleeves. Remodeling began in September, and by the first week of January 2024, the space was transformed into something magical: Purr Vida Lounge!

✨ Next up in this series: Designing the Space (for Humans + Cats!) — how every crystal, cushion, and cat tree was chosen to make the lounge a sanctuary of love and laughter.