Cat Town Café, the quirky concept that lets patrons spend quality time with ready-for-adoption kitties while noshing on artisan bagels and coffee, is just about ready to launch near Oakland’s Uptown.

Founders Ann Dunn and Adam Myatt have set Saturday, October 25, as the date for their Grand Opening at 29th Street and Broadway. And in fact, they’ve already held a few soft opening trial events, and their website is up and active for curious cat-seekers to book hour-long feline bonding sessions.

“It’s been quite the journey from when we started talking about it until now,” says Myatt. “It’s kind of insane—never in my life did I foresee this coming—but it’s felt really special the last two weeks actually seeing the people and cats interact in this space.”

Both Oakland residents with experience at local cat adoptions agencies, Dunn and Myatt generated buzz locally and even nationally when they announced plans for Cat Town.

The concept, popular in Japan but the first such example in the U.S., is to create a welcoming café environment where patrons can also spend time with rescue cats from Oakland Animal Services—hopefully facilitating more adoptions. People can sign up on the website to reserve one-hour sessions in the café’s “Cat Zone” for $10. Walk-ins are also available at no charge, but depend on availability. And in case you were worried, Myatt points out that the café and Cat Zone sections are kept completely separate for health reasons, both sanitary and otherwise.

“Just logistically, I know I’d hate to be pouring boiling water and have a cat jump up on me,” he says. “They’re kind of known for being trouble makers.”

While the heart-warming idea now seemed like it was destined to garner attention in the animal-loving Bay Area, the duo has been amazed, and grateful, at the help and attention they’ve received. They raised more than $40,000 via two crowd funding campaigns; popular East Bay vendors Bicycle Coffee and Authentic Bagel Co. signed up to supply coffee and bagels; local artists donated painted interior murals; and volunteers have even pitched in to help with construction.

“We’ve had a huge outpouring of community support,” Myatt says. “It’s been amazing.”

For more information and to sign up for the Cat Zone, go to cattowncafe.com.

Hours: Café: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Cat Zone: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Wed.–Sun.

Cat Town Café: 2869 Broadway, Oakland, cattowncafe.com.