Richmond’s food scene has seen an influx of changes recently, with multiple spots closing and new ones popping up.
Now, we’ve spotted something truly eyebrow-raising: one of Richmond’s cat cafes, Catopia, is up for sale for an odd price…for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
That’s right, Catopia is listed for just $1 on commercial real estate sites.
It’s a shocker, even in these strange and sad economic times.
Catopia opened a couple years ago and was considered Richmond’s first cat café.
But unlike other cat cafes, the cats were not up for adoption; they were mostly expensive breeds rather than rescue animals that needed socializing.
So while you could pay an hour to play with these cats, this lack of a rescue partner did rub many people the wrong way.
Catopia also held special “Dogopia” days, transforming the space into a dog cafe for a day, which quickly became a hit.
But, as with the cats, the dogs were all owned by the owner and their friends—not rescues.
Despite the initial excitement, Catopia has faced mounting criticism over the past year, mainly about cleanliness and the health of the cats.
Reviews over the last two years have painted a mixed picture of the cafe.
Many customers highlighted significant cleanliness issues, with one reviewer bluntly noting that “poop and pee are everywhere.”
Some even mentioned that the smell of litter boxes was so strong it could be detected from outside the venue.
A longer in-depth customer account was eventually reported by Richmond News.
On top of that, concerns were raised about the cats’ grooming, with reports of matted fur, long nails, and signs of poor health.
Despite all this, the news of Catopia being listed for just $1 was surprising.
Bruce Li, the RE/MAX Westcoast realtor handling the listing, told Noms Magazine that the $1 price tag is no gimmick or any sort of bait-and-switch type of thing.
The owners apparently are simply looking to get out of their lease.
The lease terms are not specified, but the listing mentions a $334.01 monthly maintenance fee and highlights over $80,000 in renovations that have been invested into the space.
Ofcourse this alludes to the unit being up for sale – no cats included.
While Catopia’s future seems uncertain—and possibly headed toward its end—those who want a classic cat cafe experience still have other options.
Spots like Catoro and Catfe continue to offer charming spaces for feline lovers, complete with adoptable rescue cats and more traditional cafe offerings.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 145 5951 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond, BC