🐾 A Visit to the Grand Rapids Happy Cat Café

cats. drinks. cute stuff. really really lovely humans. really really lovely cats.

we’ll be back.

xx,

Taylor + Amanda

Few places feel as instantly comforting as walking into The Happy Cat Café in downtown Grand Rapids. The smell of espresso, the hum of quiet conversation, and the curious presence of a dozen cats make the space feel both alive and at ease.

Among them is the café’s blind mascot, a gentle and confident soul who seems to sense everything that matters. Watching them move through the space is a reminder that trust and care create freedom.

During our visit, we got permission to photograph the café, its guests, and its feline residents.

Our work is grounded in generosity and reciprocity. There is no set cost, only an open invitation to support this kind of community-centered storytelling and photography if it resonates with you.

If you’d like to contribute, you can donate to @ManyLivesProject on Venmo. Every contribution helps sustain creative documentation of small businesses, local rescues, and stories of connection across West Michigan.

If you know of another welcoming café, farm, or creative space in Holland or the West Michigan area, we’d love to visit. You can refer them through our contact page or on any of our social media handles-we’re always seeking spaces where kindness and creativity naturally meet.

🐈 The Community

The regulars at The Happy Cat Café knew who was new, which cats were adjusting, and who was next in line for adoption. Every person seemed tuned in to the personalities around them -the bold one by the window, the shy one under the chair, the sleepy one curled up on the shelf. The atmosphere carried an easy rhythm of care and curiosity, where everyone quietly contributes to helping each cat feel safe and seen.

Before you visit, check out The Happy Cat Café’s website or their social media for directions, current residents, and updates on upcoming events. Stop by, sip something good, and meet the cats who make this corner of Grand Rapids so joyful.

Follow along for more stories and photos:
📸 @ManyLivesProject
💌 manylivesproject.com

Together, we keep telling stories that notice, nurture, and give back - one cup, one cat, one connection at a time. 🌿