No Cats, No Shade: Why We’re Going Fur-Free

We get this question a lot:
“So… will there be a cat?”

Totally fair. Bookstore cats are iconic. They nap on piles of poetry, knock pens off the counter, and greet customers with a sleepy stare that says “You may enter, peasant.”

And honestly? We love that.

But here’s the thing:
At book/shop, etc., we made a conscious choice not to have pets in our space and it’s not because we hate joy. It’s because we care deeply about accessibility, intention, and the experience of everyone who walks through our doors.

We’ve heard from too many folks over the years who’ve had to skip beloved shops because of cat allergies or sensory overload. We’ve watched friends sniffle, itch, or leave early because their lungs just couldn’t hang with the dander.

We want this space to feel like a breath of fresh air — literally.

So yes, we ripped up old carpet.
Yes, we cleaned the ducts.
Yes, we did a deep energy cleanse and maybe cried a little over the vacuum filter.

But most importantly, we’re building this space with everyone in mind — even the ones who usually feel like afterthoughts.

That doesn’t mean we’re anti-cat. The cats who lived here before are officially retired (with full honors), and you’ll still find little nods to them throughout the shop. Their legacy lives on, just… not in your sinuses.

So no, there won’t be a live-in cat curling up next to your memoir.
But there will be soft places to land, unexpected finds, and the kind of welcome that doesn’t make you sneeze.

Because here, comfort > aesthetic.
Accessibility > assumption.
Presence > pets.

And honestly? We think that’s a pretty purr-fect trade-off.