A furry feline is making a community corner shop owner in Hampstead go viral on Instagram, whipping up millions of views and thousands of likes – but that’s not the only reason they are capturing the hearts of many.
Mimi, a one-time stray black cat, has become the viral sensation known as ‘Bosscat’ after Abdul Safy began to post her interactions with customers at his shop near Belsize Park online.
Abdul has owned the neighbourhood Fleet Food and Wine shop for 17 years, including selling his special organic homemade teas which have become famous in the area.
But Safy isn’t only iconic for his Instagram cat adventures or ginger and turmeric sensations, he is the cornerstone of the local community.
With a smile on his face, he proudly talked of his 220 to 230 loyal local customers.
He said: “This loyalty you’ll never see anywhere in the world.
“It’s a part of the community – they can trust you.”
Mimi the Bosscat was born following Safy posting a video of her on Instagram in January which rapidly exploded in popularity, gaining millions of views and over 163k likes
The shop owner was never in doubt that his videos would gain traction.
According to Safy, he has become well known for his work in the community, all directly from his shop.
He even has become a community magnet for resolving local disputes, and claims he is often relied on by many.
He said: “Most people call me a social worker.”
What seemed to stick with his customers as they streamed in and out of the shop was his infectiousness and wisdom.
“Happiness is your health.
“Your mind is your world, your mind is your happiness.
“We have been told happiness is a car and a big house – its not.
“My motto in life is to be good humans, it doesn’t matter if it’s a tree, a cat, or a human – be nice to everyone.
“I think this is what makes you happy.
“It makes you a good person; you get respect naturally and I believe I’ve earned that.
“Love is not given, you have to earn it.”
Customer by customer, they described him and Mimi as pillars to the community, even when her tail gets in the way of the card machine.
Safy described the shop as being like a community centre, which is why he has placed chairs and tables outside for people to sit there.
Not to mention a big reason why his regulars return daily – his tea.
Safy said: “This tea is a fantastic healer.
“People literally stopped going to the pharmacies – pharmacies send them to me for cold and flu cases.
“I don’t do it for money, I do it at the price of the ingredients to help people be healthy and well.”
And as he wrapped up the conversation with a small fresh tea to go, Abdul’s story, Mimi, the virality and his wisdom all made sense.
Mimi’s infectious, witty personality has earned her spot as the queen of Fleet Food and Wine, once in a while putting in her shift by swatting away the customers with her paws and asking for cuddles – thereby confirming her Bosscat status.
Meanwhile, Abdul stands as the symbol of community, keeping people healthy, happy and igniting hope in what can feel like an isolating city to many.
His virality has become an extension of what he gives to the community, with millions watching globally as if they were purchasing essentials and sharing a chat with the Bossman and his Bosscat.
Mimi’s story
When Abdul’s neighbours from the shop went back to Greece temporarily around five years ago, they were met with a surprise in a small forest on an island.
They heard a gentle meow, finding a tiny cat who was left by her mother, as she was injured.
The doctor climbed up and picked up the black cat, took her to the rescue centre for treatment, where his daughter, five, at the time, cried and begged to bring the cat home.
Mimi had never seen roads or people before the family brought her to the UK, and she seemed petrified as she wandered outside.
That is when, according to Abdul, she walked into the shop.
Safy said: “From fear she jumped on my lap, and she never went back.”
The family later moved away, but often visit Mimi in the shop where Abdul says she sleeps, eats and lives.
However, if it’s a sunny day, she is gone for hours to play in the park.
If it’s hot, she often sits in the fridge by the milk, and if it’s cold, she’s cocooned in her bed, which is made up of Abdul’s thick coat and a small red cushion.
The bed has now inevitably transformed into the Bosscat’s throne.
For more, visit Abdul’s Instagram profile.
Feature Image: Siena Westcott-Toi
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