Hong Kong (CNS) -- Hong Kong's continuously hiked rents have endangered the financial situation of many small caféowners and small business owners. A street-side caféhas thus become a difficult business model compared to shopping malls and office buildings.
With a history of 11 years, "Cat Café" has moved five times. It was first opened upstairs and gradually came into its current mode of a cat-themed café. Fourteen cats were raised in the café, eating, napping, and walking around freely. Guests are allowed to play with them and the café's decorations are also cat-themed.
Cynthia, a stakeholder in the café, said that the caféused to occupy an area of 467 square meters. However, the unbearable rent contracted it to just 112 square meters.
Netizens also recall the café's past when many a celebrity occasionally stopped by. This is no longer a frequent scene due to its shrinking size.
According to Dr. Thomas Bauer, assistant professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, "The high rent has affected all Hong Kong residents, especially the local business owners."
The situation has even affected clothing retailer "Episode" who moved from the street side of Queen's Road to the 22nd floor of a shopping mall.
Research done by CB Richard Ellis shows that in the first season of this year, Hong Kong jumped into second place for the most expensive cities in the world to rent property.
Cynthia still wants to have her caféon the street if the rent permits. However, a piece of news in the South China Morning Post might let her down. The watch brand of the luxury LVMH opened up a 56-square-meter shop on Russell Street in June, at a monthly cost of 1.5 million Hong Kong dollars, ten times that of "Cat Café."
Speaking of the difference between ideals and reality, Cynthia said, "Many people will first think it's neat to own a café. Though, the business-side of it is the reality."
She has struggled to keep her cafégoing for so long more because of the emotional connection she feels to it. She told a story of a now-gone cat named "little bro." He was left in a box with two other cats eight years ago. Attached was a letter from the original owner, explaining that he had cancer and could not keep on taking care of the cats. He expressed his wish that the "Cat Café" would be so kind as to accept them. Apart from the sentiment to the cats, Cynthia is also happy for the friendships she has made with the guests, who have been reliable even when the cafémet financial difficulties.
Talking about her the next plan, Cynthia hesitated a little bit at first, but was soon lit up by the answer: dessert. She has already designed many cat-like desserts and successfully sold them in the café. "Happiness comes after sweetness," said Cynthia.
