Purrista Café Is Catalyst for Feline Adoptions and She-Conomy

SBA Helps Cat Café Create Purrfect Mix of Food, Fun and Adoptions

From the women baristas to coffee makers, bakers and yoga instructors, Dena Rupp is generating a micro “she-conomy” while successfully placing hundreds of shelter kittens and cats with happy, new owners -- a business idea she’s pursued for years.

“I wanted to create a meaningful business with what I love, and animals top that list,” Rupp, a graphic designer, explained. “And I wanted to empower women at the same time…who would have thought a cat café would bring us women together.”

Purrista, in downtown Erie, offers customers coffee and scratch-made baked goods, along with the chance to observe cats at play or schedule a visit for some animal therapy with an added opportunity to adopt a feline friend from the woman-operated Because You Care Animal Shelter in McKean. 

Rupp spent years researching her concept through visits to similar cafes in more than eight different cities. She used that knowledge and her design skills to make a special place for both her patrons and cats.

“I created a cozy, stress-free environment with comfortable couches and chairs,” Rupp said. “You can sit , eat or study with the cats or see them play from the café window, and they’re hilarious to watch. We even have yoga classes in the cat lounge – the cats surround you, playing on the (yoga) mats and they put on a show.”

Rupp, 42, said was inspired after visiting a cat café in Austin. “This cat named Stanley came right up to me… that’s the name of my deceased grandfather,” she said. “That was no coincidence. I knew I was opening a cat café too.”

She visited the Gannon University Small Business Development Center for startup assistance. SBDCs are SBA and state-funded entities helping entrepreneurs with no-cost counseling and low-cost training classes for every phase of small business development. Last year, 705 entrepreneurs in the four-county area around Erie received assistance from the SBDC, creating 42 new business starts supporting 2,210 jobs. 

Gannon embraced the idea helping with a business plan and financial projections. The working relationship proved fruitful; she secured a marketing grant and made important city connections. The latter resulting in locating a pawsitively perfect spot for the café. 

“They were amazing,” Rupp added. “They went out of their way to help even though the plan was so niche and unique - as not everyone is going to visit a cat café.”

Center Director Maggie Horne said she believed in Rupp’s concept from the get-go. 

“We were so excited to help her,” said Horne. “Cafés are popular everywhere, but I knew adding cats for therapy and adoption would be welcome in Erie.”

Rupp and Horne were spot on. In just two years, 215 kittens and cats are in new homes. 

“It only takes about three business days for a successful cat adoption from one of the 15 (cats) always residing at Purrista,” said Rupp. “Owning this business is wonderful and a dream come true for me. There are so many people in Erie willing to help you – just get out of your comfort zone and ask questions.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Western Pa. District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt said Dena truly exemplifies why Women’s History Month is celebrated. 

“I’m so proud she used the SBA’s  resource partners like Gannon University to become a social entrepreneur -- starting and exceeding in her dual missions of helping animals in need while growing and promoting local women-owned small business, and we need more entrepreneurs like her.”