When Dorian Clair arrives at his decades-old antique clock repair shop each morning, the first thing he does is look for two rows of foggy marks on the glass of the front windows.
One of them is no higher than one and half feet above the ground, but the other line of cloudy smudges is much higher. They're nose prints, says Clair, and they come from both children and their parents as they peer into the shop at the corner of Sanchez Street, hoping to spot a fluffy black creature curled up in a patch of sunlight, or a glimpse of his sleepy green eyes.
"Mike entices people to do that," Clair told SFGATE with a chuckle.
That's the name of the shop cat living at Dorian Clair's Antique Clock Repair for the past 12 years. A former stray, Mike was occupying a maintenance supply room at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica before one of the staff — a fellow clock collector — brought the cat to Clair's shop in a cardboard box. He's been living with Clair and attracting visitors to his shop ever since.
And though the delicate antiques inside the store might seem rife for a cat's mischief, Mike has only managed to break the glass out of one clock. As far as Clair is concerned, he's here to stay.
"One woman drives all the way from Tiburon just to see him," said Clair. "Since COVID, we've had so much business here. We are absolutely swamped. He's something people look forward to, and he certainly has me trained. I'll be working and overhear kids outside yell, 'There he is!'"
Whatever you might call them — shop cats, corner store cats, bodega cats — these animals are a cornerstone of our neighborhoods and bring a bit of unexpected delight to an otherwise mundane daily routine. They help to control the rodent population, spend most of their time looking cute, and they certainly encourage a local business' cat-loving clientele to keep coming back. Most importantly, they provide a much-needed serotonin boost, which I think we could all use right about now.
I asked SFGATE readers where some of their favorite resident shop cats dwelled, and set out to meet them myself.
Kit Kat lounges on the counter at Randa's Market.
Randa's Market
Kit Kat Randa's Market (3131 16th St.)
OK, so maybe I'm biased to begin with this one, because I'm already partial to Kit Kat. I used to work in the neighborhood, making Randa's my go-to convenience store. Needless to say, I was overjoyed when a close friend informed me a year or so ago that a tabby had taken up residence there.
As it turns out, so were the staff.
"The atmosphere in the store definitely changed after Kit Kat arrived," said Daniel Zeidan, a former employee who continues to run the shop's Instagram account. (He's also the son of the owner, Majed.) "Not only did customers come in more often but many also brought him gifts, like toys, blankets, beds and even food. Someone recently brought him a blanket so he would stay warm in the winter."
If you live in the Mission District, paying Kit Kat a visit is mandatory. You might find him playing on the sidewalk with some of the neighborhood dogs or waiting in front of Truly Mediterranean, meowing incessantly until the employees throw him a piece of meat. But usually he's hanging out on the counter in a cardboard box labeled with his name.
"We have a very tight-knit community, so I was not surprised to see so much love for Kit Kat, but it was definitely appreciated," said Zeidan. "Our neighbors are like family to us, and they welcomed Kit Kat in immediately."
RELATED: San Francisco's only cat cafe struggles to stay open amid pandemic and kitten season
David Cheung, the owner of 6th Avenue Aquarium, poses for a photo with Rascal.
Amanda Bartlett/SFGATE
Rascal 6th Avenue Aquarium (425 Clement St.)
This sliver of the Inner Richmond is mostly known for its laid-back atmosphere and wealth of incredible restaurants, but every now and again, I like to stop inside 6th Avenue Aquarium to scope out its seemingly endless array of tropical fish or pick up a plant or two.
But many also like to visit its resident cat, Rascal.
"He makes a huge difference," said proprietor David Cheung, cradling the black-and-white cat in his arms. "People seem so much happier because they get to see him – he calms them down. Our fifteen-year old-cat, Sylvester, passed away last year, and we were very sad, so we decided to adopt Rascal."
The 1-year-old rescue from the SF SPCA fit in immediately. He plays with customers and follows them through the shop as they look around, appearing to be just as mesmerized as them. And before you ask: No, Rascal hasn't tried to eat any of the fish.
"He just likes to sit back and watch," said Cheung.
Not pictured: a reporter furiously shaking a treat bag in the name of photojournalism.
Amanda Bartlett/SFGATE
Smokey Hyde-O'Farrell Market (701 O'Farrell St.)
Smokey is such a fixture of this Tenderloin corner store that he's been immortalized in the form of T-shirts and cloth face masks. When I showed up at the shop on a Monday afternoon hoping to purchase one, both were entirely sold out.
"It's because he's a great cat! Everyone loves him," manager Mike Illy said of the 14-year-old shop cat. "If he really likes you, he might jump on your shoulders."
MORE: This corner store has been the heart of an SF 'hood for 52 years
Spanner hanging out upstairs at Fredericksen Hardware. We couldn't get a photo of all three kitties together, so you'll have to check them out for yourself.
Sam Black has been working for this historic hardware store in Cow Hollow for the past 20 years.
"It's because of them," he says with a grin, gesturing toward three cats: Pepper, Spanner and Shim.
Founded in 1896, Fredericksen Hardware is just as beloved for its well-stocked assortment of tools as it is for its elaborate holiday window displays. But the rescue cats living there have also become neighborhood celebrities in their own right.
"We've raised them all since they were kittens and have spent many off-work hours hanging out with them here," said Black. "People love them. We've had people come from vacationing overseas and the first thing they want to do is come to the shop to visit the cats. Other people have sent them care packages with treats and toys. They have a good life."
Pepper is the sister of Toodles (a longtime shop cat who sadly passed away in 2017 — you can check out her old Instagram account here.) She's a bit evasive, but she'll love you on her own terms. You're more likely to get a chance to pet Spanner or Shim, two friendly lap cats who are frequently spotted roaming throughout the store.
"Having them here … it's stress relief," said office manager Lowe Grudin. "It's like therapy."
Buffy and Jerky greet customers in the window of Optical Eyeworks.
Marcie Patten
Buffy and Jerky Optical Works Eyewear (2217 Polk St.)
If you're in the market for some retro-inspired frames, this Russian Hill eyewear shop is worth a stop. Bonus: You might also get to see Buffy and Jerky nestled in the fake snow of the storefront.
While owner Marcie Patten says she has to be especially mindful of customers who might have allergies, most people hovering outside the door are just waiting for her to wave them on in and ask if they want to see the cats.
"There's not a day that goes by where people don't notice them and ask to pet them," said Patten. "Some of my longtime clients are actually because of the cats! Never in a million years would I have thought that they could have been so helpful for me."
Patten agreed to foster the orange and black felines when they were just a few days old, but they quickly became a permanent part of her family. She describes Jerky as the alpha: a fierce kitty who isn't afraid to tussle with the dogs outside. Buffy might be a bit more skittish, but he easily warms up to new customers.
"Obviously, times are tough and it's been challenging for me here as well," said Patten. "But I'd like to communicate the fact that if anyone needs a little kitty love, they're more than welcome to come in and say hello."
Have a favorite cat we might have missed? Send a photo to amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com
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