A visit to Goodwill usually means browsing secondhand clothes, looking through furniture, and finding hidden gems. At one location in Lincoln, Nebraska, though, the biggest draw has four paws and a tail.
Goodwill Industries Serving Southeast Nebraska has turned its Cat Connection space into the city’s first cat café. Guests can spend time with cats available for adoption while enjoying on-site café coffee, making it a fun stop for anyone who loves animals and a good cup of coffee.
From Cat Hangout to Cat Café
Cat Connection opened in March 2026 through a partnership between Lincoln Goodwill and Capital Humane Society. The space gives shelter cats a temporary home where visitors can play with them, get to know their personalities, and see how they behave outside a traditional shelter.
The idea was to give people a relaxed place to meet the cats, whether they were thinking about adoption or just wanted to spend some time with them. In August, Goodwill expanded the project by adding café service, turning Cat Connection into Lincoln’s first cat café.
The café, called Ellie’s, serves coffee drinks, including specialty lattes, and also gives visitors a place to sit and unwind. Guests can enjoy a drink while spending time with the cats, so they don’t have to choose between a coffee stop and an animal visit.
Related: The Coffee Shop Tip Screen Is Everywhere. Have We Gone Too Far?
The Cats Are Looking for More Than a Little Attention
The cats at Cat Connection come from Capital Humane Society and are available for adoption. Spending time with them lets potential adopters see their personalities before deciding whether to bring one home.
Goodwill has furnished the space with secondhand décor and furniture, giving the café a comfortable, home-like feel. The cats have somewhere to relax while they wait for a family, and visitors can enjoy their company in a setting that feels less like a shelter.
If you meet a cat you’d like to adopt, you can use the Capital Humane Society kiosk on-site to request an adoption appointment. The shelter will then follow up with next steps.
There’s Another Purpose Behind the Coffee Counter
Ellie’s serves more than coffee. According to Goodwill’s announcement about the café, the counter also gives eligible program participants a chance to learn food-service skills through hands-on training.
The café brings together Goodwill’s employment programs and its partnership with the local animal shelter. Visitors get coffee and time with cats, while the space also supports job training and helps shelter animals find homes.
Related: Why Thrift Stores Are Replacing Traditional Shopping for Many People
How to Visit Goodwill’s Cat Café
Cat Connection is located at 1731 O Street in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s a separate destination, not a cat lounge inside a regular thrift store, so plan to visit the café directly.
You can reserve a session through Goodwill’s Cat Connection booking page. Options include a 30-minute visit for $12 and a two-hour session for $40, with other session lengths available, so check the booking page for current prices and open times before you go.
The location’s listed hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with Mondays closed. Goodwill’s visitor rules state that the person making the booking must be at least 16, and children must be supervised throughout the visit.
