Partnered with my friend, Tamar Arslanian, I spent last summer documenting the lives of over 40 felines living in stores in New York City.
Our book “Shop Cats of New York” was released in early November by HarperDesign. It has already sold out and the reprint just hit shelves a few days ago. Here are some outtakes and a few of my favorite photos.
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Bobo: Japan Market Inc. Chinatown, Manhattan
“While Bobo is prone to knocking over the bamboo plants and breaking a dish or two, he’s exempt from the “You Break You Buy” policy prominently posted on neon-pink paper around the shop.”
Bud: Chenille Cleaners. Midtown West, Manhattan
“For a kitty born in the beginning of 2015, Bud (a girl) is already drawing a high-profile crowd at this Midtown establishment.”
Bud: Chenille Cleaners. Midtown West, Manhattan
Charlie: Park Slope Copy. Park Slope, Brooklyn
“While cats at a copy shop may not make much sense at first, the establishment’s owner pointed out it’s a take on copy cat, which was almost the shop’s name.”
Charlie: Smoke Scene. Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Clive: Canine Styles Boutique. Upper East Side, Manhattan
A cat who maintains the order in a specialized canine boutique.
Georgie & Me: Moo Shoes. Lower East Side, Manhattan
An obligate carnivore living in a vegan shoe store.
Ivy: Neergaard Pharmacy. Park Slope, Brooklyn
“The pharmacy took her in and named her Ivy – not after the plant, but an I.V. It’s a fitting name not only because it’s a pharmacy but because an pharmacist points out, “she got under our skin and into our hearts.”
Jack: Wine Heaven. Gramercy Park, Manhattan
“One may go so far as to call Jack spoiled, or perhaps just very lucky. When not in his private loft space or getting chiropractic adjustment (he has a bad back), Jack can be found lounging on his “Jack Lives Here’ doormat as fans come bearing gifts in the hopes of getting on his good side.”
Jack: Wine Heaven. Gramercy Park, Manhattan
Jasper: Flickinger Glass. Red Hook, Brooklyn
Keetah: Bleecker Street Records. West Village, Manhattan
“There are those who come to Bleecker Street Records, on of the last old-school record stores in New York City, not to coo over the impressive vinyl collection but to visit a gray cat with a white heart-shaped patch on her chest.”
Lionel: Red Caboose. Midtown, Manhattan
“Lionel’s spot at the front of the stores is the perfect place for people watching, petting, treats, and-perhaps most important- bubble wrap, which he enjoys trying to wrangle away from the owner.”
Meow Parlour. Lower East Side, Manhattan
The pinnacle of shop cats, a cat cafe!
Sammy: MPH. Chelsea, Manhattan
“Sammy seemed to spend most of his time on the first desk at the front of the office belonging to Cordell, and was “helping” him (“snoopervising”) with orders.”
Sammy: MPH. Chelsea, Manhattan
Sava: Dream Fishing Tackle. Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Spooky: On The Move. Park Slope, Brooklyn
“Spooky navigates the narrow shop with aplomb as bikes, customers, and deliveries come and go throughout the day. He’s never in the way, and always has one eye on the door to make sure he’s not missing out on any action or opportunities for affection.”
Tiny: Community Bookstore. Park Slope, Brooklyn
“Originally the runt of a litter, today Tiny lords over the Community Bookstore in Park Slope, having earned the nickname “Tiny the Usurper” (also his Twitter handle).”
Sava, the cover model of my book. Dream Fishing Tackle, Brooklyn
An outtake of Allegra of C.O. Bigelow Apothecary in Greenwich Village
“Her name is apropos given Ian, the pharmacist and owner, is highly allergic to cats.”
One of these things is not like the other. Can you spot a cat?
Here’s Tamar with one of our models at the Neergaard pharmacy in Brooklyn
Shop Cats Of New York!
Here’s the cover image. The book can be found online and in stores across the US.
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