The TEMPTATIONS™ Brand Debuts First-of-Its-Kind "Cat Bodega" to Celebrate Shop Cats Everywhere

America's #1 cat treat brand hosts a free, immersive pop-up in New York City, plus a Virtual Cat Bodega bringing treats and prizes to cat lovers nationwide

The "purr"-tinent details:

• What is the TEMPTATIONS™ Cat Bodega? The TEMPTATIONS™ Cat Bodega is a free, interactive pop-up in Lower Manhattan celebrating the shop cats who have become beloved fixtures of neighborhood bodegas, corner stores and businesses across the country, launched in partnership with comedian, actress and cat mom Heidi Gardner.
• When and where is the TEMPTATIONS Cat Bodega? From Sept. 17-19, visitors can stop by 213 Bowery in New York City from 12-6 p.m. ET to explore the cat-inspired bodega experience, take home free TEMPTATIONS treats and win exclusive merchandise.
• How can cat lovers outside New York City participate? From Sept. 17-26, cat lovers nationwide can visit the virtual TEMPTATIONS Cat Bodega at TemptationsTreats.com/CatBodega to play a digital scratch-off game for a chance to win treats and exclusive merchandise and gift treats to working cats in neighborhoods across the country.

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cats have long been at the heart of bodegas, corner stores and local businesses across the country. Whether they're greeting customers, keeping the store rodent-free, or "supervising" from their favorite perch behind the counter, these hardworking felines have become beloved members of the communities they call home.

This fall, TEMPTATIONS™, America's #1 cat treat brand¹, is celebrating these neighborhood icons with a bodega of their own. The TEMPTATIONS Cat Bodega is a first-of-its-kind immersive experience inspired by the hardworking cats in shops across the country who have been charming customers for generations.

Step Inside the TEMPTATIONS Cat Bodega
Launched in partnership with comedian and actress Heidi Gardner — a proud cat mom to John Ross Jr., Lil Romeo and Wish Bear, and a fixture of New York's iconic late-night comedy scene — this free celebration will combine the playful spirit of the TEMPTATIONS brand with an authentic New York City bodega setting. From Sept. 17-19, fans can visit 213 Bowery from 12-6 p.m. ET daily:

• Sample Free Treats: Take home free, purr-worthy TEMPTATIONS favorites, including Classic Treats (Adult), which are crunchy on the outside and irresistibly soft on the inside, and Lickable Puree, a squeezable wet cat treat.
• Enjoy Exclusive Merchandise: Play games, including a claw machine and scratch-off tickets, for a chance to win collectible TEMPTATIONS Cat Bodega-inspired merchandise.
• Capture the Experience: From cat-themed products lining the shelves to a life-sized cat condo "break room," every corner offers a new photo opportunity. Guests can pick up meow-thwatering cat treats, uncover purr-fect surprises and experience a playful bodega takeover designed with feline fans in mind.

"The magic of a true NYC bodega is that it's the only place on earth where you can buy an iced coffee, long-stem roses, and cat treats all in one stop," said comedian and actress Heidi Gardner. "And if you're really lucky, the 22-year-old cat who actually owns the store might acknowledge your existence. I love how the TEMPTATIONS Cat Bodega has nailed the hometown energy, but this time, the bodega cat gets to be the total center of attention."

Join the TEMPTATIONS Cat Bodega Online
Cat lovers who can't make it to New York can join the celebration through the virtual TEMPTATIONS Cat Bodega from Sept. 17-26. Visit TemptationsTreats.com/CatBodega to:

• Play for Prizes: Enter a digital scratch-off game for a chance to win TEMPTATIONS treats and exclusive merchandise.
• Gift Treats to Working Cats: Help spread the love by gifting TEMPTATIONS treats to beloved cats from shops, corner stores and venues across the country. Each day 'virtually' gift a treat to your favorite cat.

"Bodega cats are the best part of the bodega or corner store experience and they're deserving of far more than just internet fandom," said Lukasz Wysoczanski, Vice President, Care and Treats, Mars Pet Nutrition North America. "The TEMPTATIONS™ Cat Bodega, where treats are always free, is a homage to these hard-working cats and a way for fans to celebrate them for the stars they are. We're excited to put our spin on the iconic bodega experience and give cat lovers everywhere a chance to show their local corner cat some love with free treats."

For more information visit TemptationsTreats.com/CatBodega or follow TEMPTATIONS™ on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Terms & Conditions
ABBREVIATED RULES. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal United States residents residing in the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry. On-site Promotion takes place on 9/17/26 12:00:00 PM (ET) to 6:00:00 PM (ET); 9/18/26 12:00:00 PM (ET) to 6:00:00 PM (ET); and 9/19/26 12:00:00 PM (ET) to 6:00:00 PM (ET). On-site winning scratch-off game piece must be presented onsite to a Temptations Cat Bodega Representative on the above noted dates/times to claim an on-site game piece prize. Limit one (1) on-site prize per person in the promotion. On-site game pieces are available until 9/19/26 at 6:00:00 PM (ET) or while supplies last, whichever occurs first. Online Promotion begins 9/17/26 at 12:00:01 AM (ET) and ends 9/26/26 at 11:59:59 PM (ET). Limit one (1) online prize per person in the promotion. For details on how to enter and/or for complete Official Rules, including odds of winning, go to TemptationsTreats.com/CatBodega/Rules. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Mars Petcare US, Inc., 2013 Ovation Parkway, Franklin, TN 37067.

© 2026 Mars or Affiliates.

ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. Based on combined Mars and Kellanova 2025 net sales, we are now a $65bn+ family-owned business, with a diverse portfolio of quality snacking and food products that delight millions of people every day, and leading pet care products and veterinary services that support pets all around the world. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, Pringles®, Cheez-It®, and BEN'S ORIGINAL™. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH® offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles — Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom — inspire our approximately 170,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

¹Based on 2025 Nielsen sales data

Media Contact:
Jessica Mancuso | Mars Pet Nutrition North America | [email protected]

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated