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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Cat people, your next lunch date could be with some feline friends.

After months on the prowl, Julia Grueskin said she’s found a spot for her cat cafe and she expects to open Gatos y Galletas by early next near. The first-time restaurateur has signed a lease for a pair of EDo spaces, 412 and 414 Central SE, where she plans to create a space where customers can sit, mingle and even eat — she’ll offer a vegetarian menu— alongside the meowing set.

“I think it’s definitely appealing to people who can’t have cats (at home) — either because of the people they’re living with or because of their apartment — to be able to get to spend quality time with cats and do their work and socialize around cats,” she said. “It’s also for people who already have (them) and want to be around other cats.”

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The cat cafe concept has taken off around the world — perhaps most notably in Japan — but Grueskin’s would be the first of its kind in Albuquerque.

Grueskin said she hasn’t yet received the necessary city permits to open but has been in touch with regulators over the last few months to discuss how to make her business a reality.

Mark A. DiMenna, deputy director of the city’s Environmental Health Department, confirmed the agency has had discussions with Grueskin regarding the necessary controls.

“It does look like it will be possible for her to have this permitted, but we’ll have some specific requirements in order to meet Food Code,” DiMenna said via email.

DiMenna said there are several rules the operation must follow to comply with FDA guidelines. They include using disposable dishware to serve customers who plan to eat in the cat area, not storing any human food or food-related items in the cat area,and requiring patrons and employees to wash their hands in a designated sink before leaving the cat zone.

Grueskin said the setup of her chosen location — which features two separate spaces with different entrances — should address many of the city’s concerns. She said she will use one of the spaces (currently A&B’s LunchBox) for all food preparation and distribution. It will also offer some seating. The neighboring space will serve as the cat room.

“After you get your food you can take it over to the cat area and hang out; there will be several cats there,” she said.

The cats will come from a local rescue organization and will be available for adoption, she said.

Grueskin, who worked with commercial real estate brokers Ed Anlian and Dave Kleinfeld on the leasing deal, said she already has access to the cat half of her location and should start preparing the food side in early January. She anticipates opening shortly thereafter.