We were out for an afternoon drive, and since my wife has to work tonight, it couldn’t be very far from our home in Leominster, Massachusetts. We started with a nice scenic drive up Route 13 from home and into the small city of Milford, New Hampshire. It looked like a likely place to visit, and seemed very walkable. Within a few steps of where we parked the car, we found a wonderful small gallery, a few small restaurants, and a “Vintage” shop that was on two levels and had to be seen to be believed.
The real gem we found was the just-opened Catalino’s Cat Lounge and Bookshop at 66 South Street. Yes, there is a good selection of books, but the big feature is the cats. You can visit the kitties by appointment only. While we were there, a young couple was entertaining them with a variety of cat toys. Oh! Such spoiled felines!
My understanding is that there are a scattering of Cat Lounges elsewhere. Perhaps it’s a business format ready to break out! We intend to visit again!
A few words about Milford: the Oval is the center of their downtown, and it is a thoroughfare exactly as described – an oval. Scattered around the oval are a variety of galleries, restaurants ( including a nifty diner), and several other interesting businesses. The town has a rather interesting war memorial, attractive public buildings, and in general seems to have its act together.
So why do I feature this unique little gem, which most of you will never be able to visit? Because interesting people all over are starting up unique and interesting small businesses that deserve our attention and support. Let’s support the unique and interesting over the fast food places, bank branches and chain drugstores.
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Sounds like a lovely drive and a cool town.
It is, and so close to us. They are doing something right to attract so many neat small businesses.
I have a cat cafe not far away, it’s a great idea though I only went once and “to pay for the cats’ welfare”, was quite expensive. Oh, and it was vegan!!!
Tell me, do you pronounce Leominster the same as we do? Lem-ster. The one in the UK is a delightful little town on the England/Wales border.
We pronounce it Lem-in-ster. Some from “away” try to say Leo-minster. A fluke on my iPhone weather app seems to always send me weather alerts for your Lem-ster…it always seems to be raining lightly, or about to there.
Yeah it’s one of those funnies where you can tell instantly whether someone is local or not.
There are a couple of cat cafes in the city where I live as well. There is something about the majesty of felines 🙂
It was a new experience for me. I hope they are a hit.
Milford sounds great. I wish I trusted my car more. There’s a lot around here that I’d love to explore now that I have knees. But my 2001 Mustang is if-y at best. 🙂 I will have to drive to Boston to get my biometrics done for the visa process, so maybe I can do some detours. I think some of my relatives from the 1600s (yup, not a typo) are buried near there. Edinburgh has a cat cafe, but I’ve not been yet.
Having owned clunkers myself, I feel your pain. And repairs are so expensive!
I’m praying it holds together until I move to Scotland. Plenty of people “oooh” over a Mustang around here, and I think I can sell it for cheap if it is still running. The trip to Boston (if/when THAT ever happens) to get the biometrics done for the immigration will have to be done in a rental. I love my car and it has been good to me, but yeah, the reality of a 25-yr old car and me being too poor to do good upkeep has taken its toll.
My first car in 1981 was a 1969 Mustang. Out of necessity, I learned to fix most things that broke, and they all did. When the transmission went, I gave up.
I wish you good fortune and safe traveling!
Lou! I keep forgetting to tell you I will be nearby in a couple of weeks. First, two nights in Chelmsford for a friend’s 60th and a work anniversary. Then two nights in Wilbraham, to visit other friends. I’ll be passing you on Highway 2 at some point, maybe even heading over to Ashburnham to see another friend. Arriving 11pm Aug 7, and leaving from BOS at 9am Aug 11. It would be fun to stop in Leominster and have a coffee and meet you, if you’ll be around.
Anyway, Cat Cafes are around, and other kinds as well. I heard of an owl cafe – crazy. But cats would be most fun. I have been to two, the first one in Japan. https://crystaltrulove.com/2012/07/28/what-do-you-eat-at-a-cat-cafe/