Page 6 - Dresden Buzz 05/02/25

PAGE 6 | LOCAL NEWS MAY 2 - 15, 2025
The Chatty Cat Cafe named Grand Champion of 2025 Shark Tub

East Central Ohio’s Pitch Competition by Lynette Dotson

didn’t necessarily go in on the best and
biggest espresso machine right away,
and we started somewhere in the mid-
dle, and we very quickly outgrew it. We
barely made it through last fall, being
able to make enough hot drinks because
it would make so many, cool down, then
you have to wait for it to heat all the way
back up before you can make the rest of
the drinks. So we are going to use that
money to get a two-group espresso ma-
chine with a double boiler, and it’s going
to be awesome! I can’t wait!”
Beyond the cash prizes, all top-place
winners get the opportunity to work
with top professionals who provide mar-
keting, accounting, and legal help to
businesses. Teri Clapper at the Small
Business Development Center at Ohio
University, Southeast Ohio Financial
Services, and Gottlieb, Johnston, Beam
& Dal Ponte PLL. are assisting in their
respective areas of expertise.
“Getting a better relationship with the
small business development center and
using some of those tools to get us to
The Chatty Cat Cafe owner, Erica Roberts holding the Grand Champion trophy with name plaques for each of the past winners. Lynette Dotson that next level … we want to start scal-
ing, and that is going to help us do that,”
Local business The Chatty Cat Cafe “We’re half coffee shop, half foster The Cafe has several cats that are in stated Roberts.
won the hearts of judges during their home for adoptable rescue cats. So we need of homes, but two that stand out Over ten entrepreneurs from ten coun-
pitch at Shark Tub, East Central Ohio’s sell coffee that helps us continue to find as needing one more urgently are the ties competed this year at the event
Pitch Competition, where they were se- forever homes for foster cats. We work one-and-a-half-year-old sibling pair Papa held on April 24 at Zane State College,
lected as this year’s Grand Champion. with 501c3 non-profit rescue groups, John and Ally. including those from Muskingum, Co-
The Chatty Cat Cafe is located in the so cats that are typically living in foster “Our longest resident is Papa John. shocton, Guernsey, and Tuscarawas, to
Colony Square Mall (3575 Maple Ave., homes that don’t get a lot of exposure, He has a sister named Ally. They are a name a few. Businesses from Musking-
Zanesville). They serve a variety of and we also work with open intake ani- bonded pair of black cats. They’re just um County took all three top places and
drinks, including various hot or iced cof- mal shelters and help reduce euthana- the sweetest things ever. They love cat were collectively awarded over $8,000
fees, energy drinks, boba teas, frozen sia. Instead, we get them vetted, bring treats, wet food, and any kind of food- in prizes. Second place was awarded to
drinks, and light eats for breakfast and them here, and give them up for adop- related cat toy; they’re obsessed with. If Leaping Lizards Adventure out of Zanes-
lunch. tion,” explained owner Erica Roberts. anyone is looking for a great pair of kit- ville. Leaping Lizards Adventure is oper-
ties, come here to Chatty Cat.” ated by a mother-daughter team and is
Winning the Shark Tub competition all about educating children about rep-
will allow Chatty Cat Cafe to provide fast- tiles by bringing them to libraries and
er service to its coffee ordering patrons. schools for a fun, interactive learning
Visiting with the cats in the Cat Lounge experience. Mobile Surgeon out of New
at The Chatty Cat Cafe allows cat lovers Concord won third place with their mo-
a chance to interact with a variety of bile phone repair service. The People’s
cats, including permanent resident and Choice award went to Socket Up out of
Cat Lounge Manager Zion (a beautiful, Bergholz. Socket Up is a tool organiza-
smooshy-faced feline). It also gives fam- tion solution created by Jeff and Nancy
ilies or individuals trying to decide which Buxton.
cat is the right fit a chance to meet sev- Sponsors who helped to make this
eral in a relaxed environment where the year’s event possible include the main
cats are comfortable and their individual sponsor, HV Coil, and other sponsors
personalities shine. Single lounge visits Jefferson County Port Authority, Zanes-
or monthly memberships can be booked ville-Muskingum County Port Authority,
ahead of time through The Chatty Cat The Community Bank, Lauren Interna-
Cafe website. You can also reserve the tional, EOS | Ninety, Zanesville Business
Cat Lounge for your next event or private and Professional Women (BPW), Small
party. Business Development Center at Ohio
“My plan for the prize money is to fi- University, A Taste of Ohio wine bourbon
nally get a beautiful two-group Rocket and beer, and Zane State College.
Boxer Espresso Machine … I’ve had my For more information on the Shark
eye on this espresso machine for at least Tub East Central Ohio’s Pitch Compe-
7 months,” said Roberts. “Our espresso tition, visit their Facebook page face-
machine when we first opened, I got a book.com/ECOSharkTub. You can find
medium cafe espresso machine. We The Chatty Cat Cafe online by visiting
weren’t sure how it was gonna go, how thechattycatcafe.com or follow them on
people would take a cat cafe, so we their socials @thechattycatcafe.

submitted