Cats' Pyjamas Cat Cafe to transition to nonprofit organization following Adams St. fire

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Cats' Pyjamas Cat Cafe in Springfield is transitioning to a nonprofit, a year and a half after a devastating fire tore through businesses on Adams Street in 2024.

In a statement, the group said, "For the past two years, we have done everything we could to operate this café as a small business. We built it from the ground up, rebuilt after a devastating fire, and showed up every day to care for cats and create a welcoming space for our community. Despite that effort, the reality of the current economy, slower tourism, rising costs, and limited access to funding has made it clear that we can no longer continue operating the café under our current leadership."

The group said it is starting the process of transitioning ownership of the café into a nonprofit organization.

"This shift is about sustainability, not stepping away from our mission. A nonprofit structure will allow us to seek grants, accept tax-deductible donations, expand volunteer involvement, and build shared leadership so this café can continue long-term as a public foster home and community space."

More details will be shared in the future about what the transition will look like and how people can get involved to help.

The cafe opened in March 2024 on East Adams Street in Downtown Springfield. People could come in to play with the cats and submit applications to adopt them.

Just a few months later in June, a fire ripped through Adams Street, damaging businesses.

Buzz Bomb Brewing Company, which was impacted by the fire, also recently closed, with its last day of business being New Year's Eve.

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