EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan– Diana D. had no idea what was coming when she posted a scathing review last month on Yelp targeting an East Village deli’s live-in cat.
“I’ve ordered from SK before and the sandwiches are pretty good. Today, however, I decided to stop in and grab a sandwich. To my dismay – there was a cat, perched upon some cases of Budweiser in the middle of the store!! Besides being allergic to cats, I wonder what the health code say about this?”
It’s the Yelp review that caused the claws to come out. The response was quick, one after another people coming in defense of the kitty.
“Maybe Diana D would prefer the rat special! Leave the damn cat alone! I would rather have a cat than rat. This is New York lady. Smh at some people” Deborah K. wrote.
Molly L. said the feline mainstay is the “best bodega cat.”
All in all, not just online reviewers came in defense of the bodega cat. Many customers told PIX11 they just stop by the store just to see her.
“I come in sometimes, I pet him,” one customer said. “He likes to be petted on the head.”
PIX11 stopped by S.K. Deli and there she was. Her name is Star.
Yung Sussio has owned the store for about eight years, around the same time he’s had Star.
He says he keeps him company every day and is like part of the family.
Store workers say Star adds flavor to the working environment.
Bodega cats are as part of New York City bodegas as the stores themselves.
While the health code says pets in the store could warrant a $400 fine, Star is mostly downstairs and keeps to herself.
