Daytonian of the Week: Sabrina Cox

>> MORE: Here’s what Dayton’s first cat cafe will look like

It became abundantly clear that the women and their furry friends had the purr-fect personalities to paw the project —a coffee shop and cat adoption center planned for 513 E. Fifth St. — off the table in Dayton’s St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood.

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We caught up Cox, our latest Daytonian of the Week, and didn't even have to play cat and mouse.

>> EXPLORE DAYTON: Check out all of our Daytonians of the Week.

Q: What do you do?

A: I like to consider myself a professional extrovert, but I guess the resume answer to this is that I'm an event planner and fundraiser (meaning I raise the funds and not that I myself am a walking charity event). I work with a few local businesses with events and marketing: Pet Wants, Mike's Indoor Bike Park, and Ned Peppers and Hole in the Wall in the best neighborhood in the whole world -- The Oregon District. I also sit on the board of A Voice for the Innocent, which is a nonprofit helping give a voice to victims of sexual assault and abuse. Oh, yeah and I helped found Gem City Catfe.😺

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Q: What superpower would you love to have?

A: I'd like to be Batman. I know he doesn't have any real superpowers, but he's rich and has great abs so I'm sticking to my guns on that one.

Q: What would your name be if you were a cat? 

A: Sabrina. I'm basically already a cat.

Q: What do you love about life in Dayton?

A: We have the most fantastic network of people anywhere. Working in fundraising, you're constantly relying on other people in order to be successful. Dayton's love and support never lets me down. Plus, we are a good-looking city. Our people are really good-looking.

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Q: What would you do on a purr-fect date in Dayton?

A: Deviled eggs and gnocchi at Lily's, stopping by Hole in the Wall to listen to DJ Nicky T play some emo jams and then Bribing Senators at Blind Bob's. My boyfriend and I have basically perfected the perfect date.

Q: What should people know about Dayton?

A: Dayton isn't what all of the naysayers spew on the Internet. The city is growing and vibrant and busy. I love my city. People should know that. Sabrina Cox loves Dayton.

Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A: I am a dog petting connoisseur. I will go on walks just in hopes of petting dogs. If you have a dog and I see it, I'm going to respectfully pet your dog. Then I'm going to post about it on the Internet.

Q: Why did you decide to settle in Dayton?

A: I came to Dayton when I accepted my first job after college. I stayed because I fell in love with the people. I can't imagine living anywhere else. It helps to be rooted here with my business ventures and that now my boyfriend, Robbie, owns a business here as well (Rebel Rebel Tattoo). I am happily stuck in Dayton.

Q: How did you get involved with your business? 

A: With Gem City Catfe I met Karin Gudal-Johnson (my co-founder) when we were working at SICSA in Kettering. We joked about starting a cat cafe and then it became less and less of a joke and more and more of us having a building with cats and coffee. I am huge into animal advocacy and have been most of my life, so I don't think anyone was surprised when we announced we would be opening Dayton's first cat cafe.

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Q: What inspires you about Dayton?

A: All of the innovative businesses popping up all over the place. How could you not want to be involved with this level of creativity? Dayton, you are so creative. There are so many resources available to open a business (huge shoutout to the Downtown Dayton Partnership).

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Q: If you could change or bring one thing to Dayton, what would it be?

A: In Charlotte, NC they have a doggy daycare that turns into a dog-friendly bar after 5 p.m. I want this. I want this so bad. I'm looking at you, Ohio. Let us have a dog bar.

>> State may leave it up to restaurant owners to allow dogs on patios

Q: What do you think Dayton will look like in 10-15 years?

A: We will have more people biking to work than driving. Levitt Pavilion will have huge national acts. The Arcade will be thriving again and you won't have to leave the city for a thing. The future of Dayton is bright and beautiful. Maybe I'll open a dog bar.