Those who wonder whether it’s possible to discover one’s calling late in life need look no further than Salt Bay Art Supply in Damariscotta.
There, just last week, new shop cat Ivory Black took up residence beside the register and among the store’s displays of paint brushes and sketchbooks. Rescued at 11 years old, Ivory is no spring kitten – but although she took on the role after more than a decade in what were likely very different circumstances, it’s hard to imagine a cat better suited to a life in retail.
“She’s a great addition to the store,” said shop owner Carol Jaeger. “It’s awful quiet when there isn’t someone there to boss you around.”
In her new role, Ivory is continuing a beloved tradition at Salt Bay Art Supply. Her predecessor, a Maine coon named Salty Cat, held the title of “boss” (and, to some, “emperor”) at the store for 18 years until his death at the age of 19 years and 10 months in September 2024. “Salty,” who often napped on the store’s front counter, was beloved to Jaeger, Salt Bay Art Supply employee Bonnie Sablinsky, and the store’s regulars.
“No one can replace Salty,” Jaeger said, “but (Ivory) is certainly making her own impression.”
Having a pet at the store – especially one as charismatic as Salty and Ivory – sets customers at ease, spreads joy, and creates a “welcoming atmosphere,” she said.
Ivory Black (like the pigment, which matches her inky fur) is a good shop cat, Jaeger said, because she’s friendly, confident, and full of personality. Ivory is a talker, greeting shoppers with a loud meow. She also loves attention and is known to boldly approach customers, trotting across the shop in hopeful pursuit of pats and attention.
Like Salty, Ivory was adopted from a local animal shelter. Jaeger first encountered her at The Animal House pet supply store in Damariscotta, which houses some adoptable pets in collaboration with Midcoast Humane.
Ivory, who the shelter said had been a stray, had already been waiting to be adopted for several months at that time, Jaeger said.
“Not a lot of people want to adopt an older cat,” she said.
That was not the case for Jaeger. She and Sablinsky warmed immediately to the cat’s friendly demeanor and sweet personality. Soon, Ivory was in a cat carrier, making the short journey up the road to her new forever home.
Ivory was immediately comfortable in her surroundings, Jaeger said. She spent her first day on the job investigating the stands of paint, paper, and myriad other supplies that fill the store.
Customers have already seemed to fall in love with Ivory, Jaeger said.
“They’ll say, ‘Oh, she likes me,’” she said. “And it’s true.”
Salt Bay Art Supply is located at 458 Main St. in Damariscotta. For more information, go to saltbayartsupply.net or call 563-8377.
