Cat cafés are a rising trend. Yes, you read that correctly—a café with domesticated cats. For some, relaxing with a cup of coffee or tea and a cat provides a calming comfort. One such café has opened in Duluth. It’s sleek, clean, and sanitary, as well as comfortable.
After years of visiting Duluth as a weekend getaway, Misha Smith and her husband decided it was time to make the city their permanent home. Little did they know, this decision would spark the creation of a unique business: Wired Whisker, Duluth’s very own cat café.
“I’ve always known I wanted to open a café,” Smith said. “When we moved here, I started connecting with the community, and I knew this was the place to do it.”
Having worked in cybersecurity for over a decade, Smith had also spent years volunteering for feline rescue organizations. It was this passion for cats, combined with her entrepreneurial drive, that led to the idea of bringing a cat café to Duluth—a city she believed was perfect for such a venture. “We didn’t have one in Duluth, and I felt this community was ready for it,” Smith said. “It’s an animal-loving city with a lot of heart, and it just felt like the right place to create a space where people could bond with adoptable cats.”
Wired Whisker, which opened at the end of May 2024, offers patrons a chance to relax with a cup of coffee while enjoying the company of adoptable cats. The café, located at 1823 E. Superior Street, has become a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike, offering a unique environment where people can connect with felines in need of a loving home.
A Community-Focused Concept
Smith said the concept of the café was inspired by the community-driven nature of Duluth. “It felt like my people,” she said, describing how the welcoming attitude of the city’s residents helped fuel her vision. “I had been working in male-dominated industries for years, and when I came here, I felt embraced. The women in Duluth, especially in business, were so supportive.”
That support has been crucial as the business grew, and Smith has actively sought partnerships with local and regional animal rescue organizations, including Animal Allies Humane Society, Carlton County Animal Rescue, and Pet Haven of Minnesota. Through these partnerships, Wired Whisker is able to offer a rotating roster of adoptable cats, many of which come from areas with low adoption rates, such as flood zones in northern Iowa. “We work with rescues that bring in cats who may not have a high adoption rate elsewhere,” said Smith. “Our goal is to find them forever homes. It’s part of the mission—coffee and cats, with a focus on adoption.”
The Cat Lounge Experience
Visitors to Wired Whisker can enjoy a cup of coffee in the café area, but those wishing to hang out with the adoptable cats can pay a small entry fee to access the lounge. The café charges $7 during weekdays and $10 on weekends—a more affordable price than many similar establishments in larger cities.
“We want to make the experience accessible to as many people as possible,” Smith said. “I’d rather have the lounge full all the time than half full because people can’t afford the higher cost.”
In the cat lounge, visitors can enjoy spending time with the cats, whether by petting them, watching them climb the walls, or simply observing their playful antics. The space is designed with the animals’ comfort in mind, featuring vertical spaces for climbing, cozy hideaways, and a “decompression room” where cats can retreat when they need a break from the people. “We have to make sure they always have a choice,” Smith said. “If they want to interact with people, they can. If they need a quiet spot, they can go to their room. It’s all about respecting their boundaries and creating a safe, low-stress environment.”
A Space for Everyone
Smith has also thought carefully about whom the café serves. The location is on a bus line. While college students and tourists are frequent visitors, she sees a particular value in offering the space to local seniors who may not be able to have pets of their own, as well as people in assisted living facilities who might miss the companionship of animals. “Pet therapy is so important for seniors, and a lot of them can’t have pets where they live,” she said. “This gives them a chance to interact with the cats and enjoy the benefits of those connections.”
It’s not just seniors who appreciate the calming presence of cats. College students, especially during stressful times like finals week, often find solace in spending time with the café’s furry residents. “We partner with Animal Allies, and they bring dogs to the campuses during finals week,” Smith said. “They told me every time, at least one student cries because they miss their pets so much. That really reaffirmed why I wanted to create this space.”
The Future of Wired Whisker
With the success of the café’s first year in business, Smith is looking ahead to expand the services Wired Whisker offers. She hopes to continue fostering relationships with local rescues and perhaps even host events, such as “cat yoga” sessions or adoption drives.
For now, though, Smith is focused on making sure the café continues to be a welcoming, community-centered space for both cats and people. “We want to serve delicious coffee, create a space where people can connect with adoptable cats, and ultimately help find loving homes for as many cats as we can,” she said.
As for the cats themselves, many have already found their forever homes, with Wired Whisker regularly seeing cats adopted thanks to the connections made in the café.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Wired Whisker offers more than just a cup of coffee—it’s a chance to relax, connect with animals, and maybe even leave with a new furry friend.
For more information on Wired Whisker Cat Café in Duluth, visit: wiredwhisker.com.