More space eases the crowding, makes room for tools, fishing rods, boots and men's clothes

By Wendy Geist
Gazette-Times reporter

Space is tight in the Cat's Meow Thrift Shop at 110 S.W. Third St. downtown. The aisles are crowded with racks full of clothes and plastic bins piled high with lightly used household items.

To ease the crowding and expand its selection, the Cat's Meow will soon be expanding into the space next door, which was previously held by the old Baby Station.

"It was time to grow," said Dani Bolda, community relations and volunteer coordinator for Heartland Humane Society, the nonprofit animal welfare organization that runs the thrift shop.

The Cat's Meow doesn't have enough space to adequately display its current inventory, she said, and the additional room will also allow it to expand its furniture offerings.

This is the third time the downtown shop has expanded. Nine years ago, the Cat's Meow opened on Madison Avenue in a space that was half the size of its current location. The upcoming expansion will more than double the size of the store, from 1,800 to 4,100 square feet. The project is expected to start in January, with a grand opening scheduled for March 17, which also marks the store's 10th anniversary.

Kerry Mullin, executive director of the Heartland Humane Society, said the organization is working with its landlord on affordable lease terms.

"There is a little bit of risk, but we are sure it will pay off," Mullin said. The Cat's Meow brings in around $90,000 a year, contributing more than 18 percent of Heartland's total budget. Heartland cared for more than 2,900 animals in its shelter this year, and the society offers a range of programs for pet owners.

"The thrift shop is a vital part of being able to offer services to animals of Benton County," Mullin said.

It takes about 80 volunteers to manage the store, sorting through donated items and pricing them accordingly.

Vi Campbell has been volunteering at the Cat's Meow since 1997, giving five to seven hours a week. She said the expansion will allow the shop to carry a lot of items it currently doesn't have room for, such as tools, fishing rods and boots, including more men's clothing. The expansion could also mean room for more wall art, gardening and craft items.

On the other hand, the expansion means that Teal will have to find a different location next year. The collective of regional artists is currently holding its annual holiday sale of artwork in the space that Cat's Meow is expanding into. Teal, which has operated in its current space in each of the last two years, will close Dec. 28.

Artist Louie Gizyn said the group usually starts discussions about its annual holiday sale space in June or July of each year and would like to remain downtown.

"Downtown is best because it offers good foot traffic," Gizyn said.