Ashley was perched behind the counter, framed by lottery tickets, watching the store like she had been waiting for us to catch up.
When we asked if Ashley was around, the answer came back casually. "Yeah, she's around." A few seconds later, there she was. Gray tabby, bright eyes, calm face. The kind of cat who makes the store feel like it has a second cashier.
She looked younger than she was. That was the surprise. The owner told us she was older than expected, but Ashley did not act like a senior cat. She moved with quick little bursts of attention, following the wand, tracking every motion, completely locked in.
Some bodega cats make you earn one glance. Ashley gave us a whole shift. Floor, shelf, counter, aisle. She kept changing stations, then looking back like she wanted to know whether the camera was still keeping up.
That is what stayed with us. Playful, sure. But still this playful after years in the store. She had the patience of an older cat and the focus of a kitten. The owner laughed about it and kept the wand moving.
Ashley, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Photos: Gulce Kilkis / Bodega Cats of New York
By the end, she was back near the coolers, still watching the wand like the whole store had slowed down for her.
From the StoriesAshley's story appears in Bodega Cats of New York, out this fall.
Published March 19, 2026
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