Photos by Stacie Joy
A for-rent sign hangs in the window at 170 E. Second St. between Avenue A and Avenue B... bringing an official end to the Cosmic Cat Cafe here.
On Feb. 9, two notices appeared on the front door: a closure notice from the Department of Health and a letter from the landlord.
According to the landlord, due to the "extreme weather," a cold-water pipe broke in the building "and created a leak that found its way into the cafe."
Meanwhile, the DOH apparently visited that day, which seems odd if the place was closed... they handed out 71 violation points, per public records, including:
• Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.• Food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.• No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand-washing facility not accessible, obstructed, or used for non-hand-washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
And the cafe never reopened. There hasn't been any notice about a closure — temporary or permanent — on the cafe's Instagram account.
A first-time cat owner opened the space in September 2022.
