paper bag & string: Meet Lewis: Home and Garden Shop Cat

Lewis the shop cat on the job.

Lewis, the friendly store manager at the Downtown Home and Garden in Ann Arbor, MI, is back to work. The 15-year old manager, an orange tabby cat, went missing for a few days, said Mark Hodesh, the store's owner.

Everyone loves Lewis and the news was distressing. The shop posted "Missing Cat" signs and made an appeal to the community on Facebook and Twitter.

Several days after the cat disappeared, two girls walked into the shop with him, reported AnnArbor.com. Perhaps he was taking a little time off; he was found lounging in someone's yard.

Lewis modeling on Downtown Home & Garden's website.

"Lewis has regular visitors," Hodesh said. "He means a lot to a lot of customers. He gets his fair share of mail from people. People driving south to north even come into Ann Arbor just to pet Lewis, then get on the road again."

Lewis has an intuitive understanding of how to provide good customer service. Soon after Lewis returned to work a customer left him a Facebook message:

"It was so nice to meet Lewis today! I'll be back later in the week to get his opinion on a new office plant."

Photo credit of Lewis: Downtown & Garden Facebook page

8 comments:

TamagoAugust 3, 2011 at 6:43 PM
What a wonderful story!! I believe Lewis just decided to go on a vacation :-) Being store manager must be a tough work. I am so glad he is back!
Cat and DOG Chat With CarenAugust 3, 2011 at 6:53 PM
thank goodness Lewis is home safe and sound! I had tweeted it and shared it on Facebook when I first heard the news.

Do you know I live only about 25-45 minutes away from Ann Arbor? Have you ever been there? It is a quaint and beautiful college area
The WhiskerattiAugust 3, 2011 at 7:11 PM
We are so glad he's back!
CatsparellaAugust 3, 2011 at 7:59 PM
Oh I remember hearing he went missing!! I'm so glad they found him!!
meowmeowmansAugust 3, 2011 at 9:54 PM
That's great that Lewis was found, and that he is back on the job. Sounds like he's an integral part of the business. :)
Mr PuddyAugust 3, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Lovely story !! Mom and me do love it and happy for him, Finally home : )
CATachresisAugust 4, 2011 at 5:47 AM
How sweet! So good when it ends well :)))
Julia WilliamsAugust 4, 2011 at 2:30 PM
Thank goodness he was found! I love "shop kitties" -- my Home Depot in California had one, they gave him his own little area in the garden shop with bed, bowls etc. so you always knew where to find him.

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