Building The Claws Meow
Follow our journey from an empty storefront to Banning’s new self-serve ramen café.
Expand each chapter to explore our progress, completed milestones, and what’s coming next.
Current Stage: Chapter Four • Permits & Approvals
Latest Update (August 6, 2026) : Corrected plans resubmitted to the City for review.
Chapter One: Dream to Reality
Dream to Reality
Every great café starts with an idea.
Status: Completed
The Claws Meow started as an idea inspired by a love of ramen, claw machines, and creating a fun place for the community. Before there was a storefront or a single permit, there were months of planning, designing, researching, and building the foundation that made the journey possible.
Milestones
The Claws Meow concept created Business name selected Brand identity & logo designed Business plan completed Financial planning & startup budget completed “The Claws Meow” registered Website launched Social media pages created Commercial location search started
Chapter Two: Finding Our Home
Finding Our Home
Every dream needs a place to call home. This is where The Claws Meow found its own.
Status: Completed
Finding the right location meant more than simply finding an available storefront. We needed a space that could bring together our vision for ramen, snacks, drinks, and family-friendly fun under one roof. After searching, touring, planning, and negotiating, we found our home in Banning and officially received the keys to the future home of The Claws Meow.
Milestones
✅ Potential storefronts toured and evaluated
✅ Banning storefront selected
✅ Lease terms negotiated
✅ Café and claw machine use approved for the space
✅ Owner’s Association approval obtained
✅ Lease agreement finalized
✅ Lease signed
✅ Storefront keys received
✅ The Claws Meow officially had a home
Chapter Three: Designing The Claws Meow
Designing The Claws Meow
From ideas and sketches to a plan for bringing The Claws Meow to life.
Status: Completed
With our storefront secured, the next challenge was turning an empty space into The Claws Meow we had envisioned. This stage brought together the café layout, ramen stations, kitchen and service areas, claw machines, seating, and equipment into a functional design. Countless details were considered and adjusted along the way, creating the plans that would eventually guide us into the permitting and approval process.
Milestones
✅ Initial café layout developed
✅ Ramen and toppings areas planned
✅ Kitchen and service areas designed
✅ Claw machine layout established
✅ Seating and customer flow planned
✅ ADA accessibility incorporated into the layout
✅ Plumbing and equipment locations established
✅ Architectural floor plans developed
✅ Health Department plan set prepared
✅ Building plan set prepared
✅ Design revisions and refinements completed
✅ Plans ready for permit submission
Chapter Four: Permits & Approvals
Permits & Approvals
With the plans in place, the next step was navigating the approvals needed to turn them into reality.
Status: In Progress
With our plans completed, the next step was getting the approvals needed to bring The Claws Meow to life. This stage has involved working through County Environmental Health and the City of Banning review process, responding to comments, coordinating revisions, and bringing in additional engineering when required. Several major approvals are already behind us, and we’re continuing to work through the remaining requirements needed before construction can officially begin.
Milestones
County Environmental Health plans submitted County Environmental Health plan review completed County Environmental Health approval received City Business License Clearance received Building & Safety plans submitted Planning review completed Public Works review completed First-round plan check comments received Plan revisions completed Electrical engineering requirements identified Electrical engineer brought onto the project Electrical plans & load calculations completed
🔄 Revised plans resubmitted to the City
⏳ Final Building & Safety approval
Construction permit issued
Chapter Five: Building The Claws Meow
Building The Claws Meow
The plans leave the page, and the café starts taking shape.
Status: Not Started
With the plans and approvals coming together, the next chapter is where the biggest physical transformation begins. Walls, plumbing, electrical, equipment connections, and the other pieces of the buildout will turn an empty commercial space into the café we’ve spent months planning.
Milestones
Building permits issued Buildout begins Interior walls and rooms constructed Plumbing work completed Electrical work completed Sinks, water heater, and grease interceptor installed Interior finishes completed Café equipment installed and connected Buildout inspections completed Construction approved for final occupancy steps
Chapter Six: Bringing It All Together
Bringing It All Together
An empty space becomes The Claws Meow.
Status: Not Started
With construction behind us, it’s time to bring in everything that makes The Claws Meow what we imagined from the beginning. The café equipment, ramen station, snacks, drinks, furniture, signage, and claw machines all come together as the space goes from a construction project to a real café ready for customers.
Milestones
⬜ Claw machines delivered and installed
⬜ Ramen stations installed and set up
⬜ Refrigerators and café equipment placed
⬜ Tables, chairs, and furnishings installed
⬜ POS system installed and configured
⬜ Claw machines stocked with prizes
⬜ Ramen, toppings, snacks, and drinks stocked
⬜ Menu and pricing finalized
⬜ Interior signage and décor completed
⬜ Equipment tested and operational
⬜ Staff workflow and operating procedures tested
⬜ Café setup completed
Chapter Seven: Ready to Open
Ready to Open
The final checks, the finishing touches, and then the doors finally open.
Status: Not Started
After months of planning, designing, permitting, construction, and setup, the journey reaches its final stage. The last inspections and approvals make sure everything is ready for customers, while we put the finishing touches on the café and prepare our team for opening day. What started as an idea is finally ready to welcome the community through the doors of The Claws Meow.
Milestones
⬜ Final Building & Safety inspections completed
⬜ Final Fire inspection completed
⬜ Final Environmental Health inspection completed
⬜ Required corrections completed
⬜ Final City approvals received
⬜ Certificate of Occupancy / authorization to open received
⬜ Business license fully activated for opening
⬜ Staff training completed
⬜ Final cleaning and café preparation completed
⬜ Opening inventory stocked and ready
⬜ POS and payment systems tested
⬜ Soft opening / operational testing completed
⬜ Grand opening date announced
⬜ The Claws Meow officially opens! 🎉