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.
The owner told us Ashley was older than she looked. She still moved in quick bursts of attention, following the wand and tracking every motion.
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.
Years in the store had not slowed her down. She had the patience of an older cat and the focus of a kitten. The owner laughed 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 November 3, 2026.
Published March 19, 2026
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