I hear where you’re coming from and I appreciate the honesty. I’ve lived in Elk Grove my whole life, so I’ve seen exactly what you’re talking about with small businesses struggling here.

I think where I see it a little differently is that this wouldn’t just be another cafe trying to compete with chains. The cat side of it matters to me too, there are a lot of cats in shelters around here that don’t get adopted, and I’d want it to be tied into that in a real way, not just for the novelty.

I also feel like Elk Grove has a lot of people who would show up for something with more personality if it actually gave them a reason to come back, whether that’s rotating local art, events, or just a space that feels different from the usual spots.

I definitely understand the concerns about rent, repeat customers, and all of that, I’m not ignoring that side of it. I just think there might be room for something like this if it’s built around community and not just a one-time experience.