The Stray Cats of Bartram Walk

Behind the stylish storefronts of Bartram Walk in Julington Creek, an unexpected but heartwarming story unfolds each day—one of compassion, community, and the 28 stray cats who call this little corner of St. Johns County home. At the center of it all is Julie Widener, co-owner of The Pink Nickel boutique and a devoted caregiver to the cats many shoppers may never even know are there.


Julie’s day starts long before her boutique opens—at 5 a.m., to be exact. She arrives quietly with fresh food, medicine, and warm words for the feline residents who now depend on her care. She returns again in the afternoon for their second feeding. These cats, who live behind the Bartram Walk plaza, are not wild or feral, Julie explains. "They’re strays—friendly, abandoned, and often dumped by people who couldn’t keep them."

Julie has been caring for the colony for 11 years, ever since taking over the task from a retired man named Bill, who was in his 70s at the time. A lifelong cat lover, Julie stepped into the role after retiring from a successful career in medical equipment sales. Since then, she hasn’t taken a vacation. “Someone has to be there every single day,” she says, “and right now, that someone is me.”


The cats she cares for are remarkably healthy-looking, with soft coats and expressive eyes. Julie spares no expense—feeding them only the highest-quality food, free of dyes or additives, which she pays for herself. Each new arrival is spayed or neutered to help control the population. Over time, the cats have formed two distinct pods, each with its own unique social structure and leaders.


Boots, the boutique cat and unofficial mayor of The Pink Nickel, is one such leader. Once severely ill, Julie took him into her home to rehabilitate him. Now, he greets customers with friendly curiosity and an air of dignity. Tucker, a tuxedo cat, commands quiet authority among his peers—“the little ones stick to him like glue,” Julie says.

Then there’s Sassy, a 21-year-old Siamese and one of the colony’s originals. When Julie noticed her eye was damaged, she carefully trapped her and brought her to the vet, saving her life by removing the eye before it ruptured. Another cat, Peaches, who now has three legs, once gnawed her own limb after getting caught in a fence. It was Sassy who ran to find help—Barbara, a previous caregiver—who returned with a crowbar and freed her.


“These cats love life,” Julie says. “They’re survivors. Resilient. People think euthanizing them is the solution—but that would be such a shame.”


Now, Julie is looking for a few dedicated cat lovers to help her continue this mission. “I can’t do it alone forever. I’d love to find a team of volunteers who care as much as I do.”


For Julie Widener, caring for the stray cats of Bartram Walk isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a calling. And thanks to her, these resilient creatures are not just surviving—they’re thriving.

If you’re a cat lover and would like to support Julie in caring for the cats—whether through hands-on help or a donation—please reach out to her directly at (904) 382- 6924 or [email protected]