Five years ago, Crystal Burditt was homeless and penniless. Today, she is the proud owner of Sanford’s Cozy Cats Café, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary and has found homes for 106 cats. “It has been amazing,” Burditt said of the café, located at 330 E. Saginaw Road in Sanford.
The café currently has 25 adoptable cats, each with different personalities, sizes, and temperaments. It is also close to obtaining a food license after passing an inspection.
In addition to adopting cats, the café offers a variety of activities. Every other Saturday, it hosts an artisan market. Other events include kid workshops, birthday party packages, support group meetings, speed dating, cosplay events, board games, and self-defense classes. On the first and third Saturdays of each month, Dungeon and Dragon nights take place at 7 p.m.
Burditt also partners with assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and youth organizations to bring the community together. The café also showcases the work of 30 local artists, ranging from ages 6 to 80, including autistic artists.
The 4,700-square-foot building also features two spa rooms offering tanning, a sauna, a massage chair, red light therapy, an acupuncture foot pad, a cellulite slimmer, and a laser hair removal system.
Reflecting on her journey, Burditt says it still feels surreal. She remembers a time when she had no money, eating crackers with ketchup, and being homeless. A survivor of domestic violence and cancer, Burditt moved to the area about four years ago, searching for a purpose in life. Her dream of opening a cat café started when she read about one and fell in love with the concept.
With no car or money, Burditt began working toward her dream. Thanks to the support of the community, her vision for a cat café in Midland County became a reality. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of the community,” she said.
The café has also made a significant impact on the lives of cats. Burditt, who greets each cat by name, loves watching them find new homes. She works with SMART Paws and Northern Purr Rescue, organizations that provide adoptable cats.
SMART Paws President Sylvia Gilvydis said the café has helped increase the adoption rate by providing a space where cats can interact with people and other cats. This allows potential adopters to see the cats’ personalities before committing. Older cats, in particular, have a better chance of being adopted because they are more likely to curl up on a lap. Gilvydis added that even if people can’t adopt, they can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of spending time with the cats.
Sanford’s Cozy Cats Café is not just about adopting cats; it’s a place where the community comes together to support one another, enjoy various activities, and make a positive difference in the lives of both people and animals.
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