Grant Park’s Java Cats Cafe had their water shut off by the City of Atlanta over the weekend. It turns out the Department of Watershed Management had the property listed as vacant since 2014 and told owner Hadyn Hilton the now mistaken shut-off was due to the department being “a little behind”.
Java Cats announced its plans to open at 415 Memorial Drive SE in September 2016. The cafe opened in March 2017.
Hilton began documenting her water troubles with the city on the cafe’s Instagram after realizing last Thursday the building’s water had suddenly stopped flowing. Fearing a plumbing problem, Hilton closed the cafe early and called a plumber. That’s when the plumber told Hilton her water access was locked at the street.
Cafe regulars, cat lovers, social media followers, and even the cleaners next door all rallied behind Hilton and her cats while she navigated the city’s red tape.
Between the pressure from concerned citizens, Hilton’s tenacity, and a little help from the media (CBS46), Java Cats Cafe’s water was restored at midnight on Saturday. Despite the loss of two days worth of revenue due to the closure, Hilton is thankful it wasn’t longer, “It’s been a crazy weekend. Because of the social media coverage, it was quickly resolved after I was told firmly that it wouldn’t be.”
City of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management has since apologized for the paperwork problems which ultimately led to Java Cats Cafe’s troubles.
Java Cats Cafe is partnered with no-kill shelter PAWS Atlanta and regularly fosters up to 20 cats at its Grant Park location. All of the cats housed at the cafe are up for adoption.
In addition to cat cuddles and forever homes, Java Cats serves coffee from downtown’s Ebrik Coffee Room along with prepared foods. Hilton recently announced her plans to expand to Marietta. The Marietta cafe should open in May.
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