The Nantucket Cat held a ribbon-cutting event last Wednesday, Sept. 26, marking the cat-theme gift shop’s move to a new location at 49 Oswego St. in the village business district.
Owners Barb and Bill Donaghey moved their unique business to an 1860 Italian-style home (next to Fresh Mex), which offers customers more shopping space and better parking.
“Our customers are thrilled with the new space – it’s a wonderful showcase for our product line,” Barb said. “We are thrilled to have been able to stay within the business district.”
According to Barb, the new space has been commercial for many years and was the former home to a physician practice.
The Donaghey’s not only cut the ribbon during the grand reopening, but also unveiled a new logo and signage designed by renown artist Cynthia Schmidt who hails from Mexico, NY.
Schmidt was present at the event signing her work, Indigo Art and Cranky Cat, for guests at the grand re-opening. Barb said she met Schmidt through their mutual interest in cat-theme art and now The Nantucket Cat carries greeting cards and matted art prints designed by Schmidt. In fact, one day Barb spotted a card Schmidt had designed and said, “that is a perfect logo for the Nantucket Cat.”
“It was right there in front of me in our Cranky Cat display, had probably been there for weeks,” Barb said. So she contacted Schmidt, asked her to use the design as the Nantucket Cat’s new logo and Schmidt agreed.
In addition to Schmidt’s work, the Nantucket Cat also carries ladies accessories, art, clothing, jewelry, cat toys and treats, some dog items (everything healthy and organic), garden spinners.
“We are also well-known for our wine slushy mixes,” Barb said, adding her husband builds cat furniture unique to the Nantucket Cat. “[The furniture] is carpet-covered for cats to climb, scratch and relax on. It also protects household furnishing.”
The Nantucket Cat is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday. Call 638-1981.
