Earlier this spring, we published a series of stories about “shop cats” (and a few “shop dogs”) who reside at West Seattle businesses. Then even more news than usual started happening and we never got around to finishing the series. So we’re taking the opportunity now. (Since Keri spoke to the PB&J Textiles team, they have opened Coffee at the Heights [WSB sponsor; open 6:30 am-3 pm on Memorial Day].)

By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Dakota is a BIG black cat. Not fat, not even overly long; just huge. And when petted, he creates a purr that matches his stature. Murphy is a petite tortoiseshell female who, if it weren’t for her longish fur, would be utterly dwarfed by Dakota.

These two cats share their space with the humans at PB&J Textiles on Fauntleroy Way. You may see them sitting on their kitty condo in the south storefront window, or on sunny days, sprawled out and soaking up the sun on the west-facing work table. Owner Paul Binder comments: “Dakota’s black fur soaks up so much heat, he’s hot to the touch.”

Binder and partner David Robertson decided to bring cats to the shop three years ago when they were dealing with mouse issues. They were trying to decide whether to deal with the rodents via chemical or natural means and decided having a cat in the shop would be fun. They found an online ad for cats who needed to find a new home because the dog they were living with was too aggressive. The catch: The cats came as a pair. The couple giving the cats away were initially dubious about the cats living in a shop, but have since come to visit the cats and are happy with the new home.

Dakota is the more outgoing of the two and the first to come and greet you at the door. In the mornings, he makes sure everyone “checks in” and he is especially enthusiastic about Larry the UPS guy. When Larry comes in, Dakota comes running.

Murphy is more aloof, but certainly not opposed to having her jaw scratched. In the morning, she greets owner David by rolling on the floor looking for a belly rub.

As with most Shop Cats, these two have their fans who come to the store specifically to see them. On the flip side, PB&J has a regular customer who is allergic to cats. Before the customer comes to the shop, he calls ahead so the cats can be moved to the back. Says owner David: “The cats always know who the people with allergies are.” If you get there at the right time, you may see Murphy playing fetch with a foam golf ball. Though more distant, Murphy is certainly not without a sense of whimsy. She loves to play in the fabric scrap bin and occasionally when someone is looking through the fabrics a furry head will suddenly pop out. Her proclivity for hiding in boxes and bins once nearly came to catastrophe however; as an order was being taped up for shipping, Murphy suddenly popped her head out of the box to see what was going on. That’s a whole different kind of Free Gift with Purchase:

The cats have no fear of the embroidery machines and will frequently sit on them while they’re working (the machines, not the cats). Though visions of cats being woven into a T-shirt abound, Paul and David assure us this is not an issue. Cat hair however, is an issue. The owners also assure us that extra measures are taken to clean the cat hair from the fabrics.

Though both cats occasionally engage in disappearing acts — Murphy by hiding in the bolts of fabric and Dakota making a mad dash outside for freedom — the owners have discovered how to get them to come running. They walk around calling out the name of the cats’ favorite food: “Fancy Feast! Come on kids, Fancy Feast!”

See the previous “shop cat(s)” stories on WSB:
Seth at West Seattle Nursery
Presta and Schrader at Aaron’s Bicycle Repair
Swifty at Roxbury Complete Auto Supply