Once a used car lot, a piece of land in Coitsville Township is now under transformation.
Jimmy Sutman, the owner of ISLE and the Purple Cat, is turning the 52 acres off of Route 422 into a small working farm for his clients, adults with physical and mental handicaps.
It not only offers those who want to earn a paycheck a chance to work, it also provides those who want to simply relax a chance to get away.
Sutman says the growth at the Purple Cat mirrors very closely the growth of his very first client. As his needs changed over the years, so did the Purple Cat and the farm, in Coitsville, makes the next logical step.
Sutman adds, "He's at that retired stage and he loves to fish and he loves to be outside and so when we found this jewel of a piece of property we thought, ya that would fit."
In about a month, the former car showroom will serve as the Purple Cat's main training area.
The barn is now home to Pearl the dog, several bunnies, and a few elusive cats, but it also plays the role of an arts and computer center.
One of the clients, Jenna, says, "I work on the computer and like sometimes I write thank you letters to people. I also like to hang out and talk to my friends."
Even though it's not up and running at full capacity yet, several Purple Cat clients frequent the farm a few times a week, and so far it's a hit.
Another client, Kristen, says, "I absolutely love it. Just to see all the scenery and the animals. I absolutely love the animals out here."
It should officially open its doors to about 50 clients a day, starting in June.
