Felines and frappes: Cat cafe coming to downtown Champaign

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Champaign, a redevelopment and incentive program is bringing a new business to downtown. It’ll include felines and frappes.

The Scratching Post is a future cat cafe that will open on University Avenue. It’ll fill a building that has sat vacant since 2019 and used to be home to the Record Swap.

Earlier this month, the building got a boost through a $30,000 grant, which the city council approved earlier this month.

“Most downtown buildings have been improved in one way or another with this program,” said City Associate Planner Lily Wilcock. “I think that really goes to show how much of our older building stock can be repurposed and put into productive use for the whole community to enjoy with the businesses that are able to go into it.”

The building will use the money to install new ADA improvements. It will also cover around 10% of the building costs for renovation.

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