Is The Cats Restaurant Readying to Reopen?

Nearly two years ago, The historic Cats Restaurant in Los Gatos quickly and quietly closed without much warning (see article in the Los Gatos Observer). One of the area's older buildings, it was constructed as a stage coach stop in the late 1800s, possibly around 1896.

Yesterday I was near the tavern, photographing Leo and Leona at the entrance to Poet's Canyon just steps away, and popped by old building to see what was going on with it.

To my surprise, it appeared that The Cats is being made ready to reopen. There were several trucks and workers in view and the parking lot sported new blacktop and parking stripes.

I could not find any news about a reopening, but perhaps some of the Live in Los Gatos readers might know what the story is. Your feedback is appreciated!

The Cats has served many functions over the years and is an area landmark. It would be great to see it open again.

The Cats Restaurant is located at 17533 Santa Cruz Highway, just past the downtown entrance to the freeway from South Santa Cruz Avenue.

Leo and Leona can be seen from this freeway exit too. For more on the two concrete cats, please visit this earlier post: How did Los Gatos get its cat logo?
Scroll down and enjoy slideshow too (just added).

PS November 2, 2008:  Today I received a call from Shelby, who tells me that 3 weeks ago or so she stopped by The Cats when she saw trucks there and spoke with the new owners. She says that they're targeting re-opening sometime this month. That's great news!

RE: Is The Cats Restaurant Readying to Reopen?

Is the cats reopen?

RE: Is The Cats Restaurant Readying to Reopen?

Hi Alex,

I sure don't know. I saw all kinds of activity there in November, but I'm not sure what's happening now. The old number no longer works - I did try to call and see. This week I'll see if I can't drive past it and update you and everyone else.

My guess is that they're doing work and ran into more things to do....

Mary

RE: Is The Cats Restaurant Readying to Reopen?

Thanks

la hacienda?

Do you know anything about la hacienda, what they are doing and if they plan on reopening?

RE: Is The Cats Restaurant Readying to Reopen?

Apparently not. I didn't know it was closed until you said so, but I just phoned over there and the restaurant number is closed so I called the main line.

The nice gal who answered the phone, Sharon, told me that when La Hacienda was sold a couple of years ago, the new owner just closed the restaurant down. She did not know why.

Apparently that facility is now rented out to a catering service called Restaurant O and they've been there since January of 2008.

I am really sorry that the restaurant at La Hacienda is gone.  My husband, Jim, and I did our rehearsal dinner wedding there the night before we married in 1985.  We used to dine there occassionally, and it was a place my father and mother both loved for dinner or Sunday brunch.

So many losses.  I still miss Villa Felice, too!

Thanks again for mentioning it, Alex.

Mary

RE: Is The Cats Restaurant Readying to Reopen?

 This weekend, I heard another rumor Cats Tavern was to reopen, theme is BBQ. Have you heard about this? 

I am familiar with Restaurant O service, they used to run out of a space on Winchester near Campbell. They make great cuisine. Do they open dining to the public at Hacienda? That might be worth a visit.