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Goodbye to this vegan support group

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Sad news spreading around the plant-based Internet over the past few days involves the ending of Vegan Lifestyle Association.

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I never got involved with their campaigns so I don’t completely understand what their mission was, but I think I understand that Vegan Lifestyle Association existed to support anyone looking to go vegan or incorporate more vegan choices in their life.

This support came in the form of recipe sharing, offering shopping tips, publsihing original and shared content, as well discounts with vegan companies to encourage people to commit to veganism. I suppose on reflection, Vegan Lifestyle Association was like a social support provider.

The statement from founders about the ending of the group informs that it was no longer financially possible to continue with the project and I’m not surprised.

I understand firsthand how much time, money and effort goes into running a blog and events, so I can understand what a huge undertaking something like Vegan Lifestyle Association would be. People were helping to run their group for no financial reward and you can only do that for so long before it starts to encroach on personal wellbeing and financial stability.

Many thanks to everyone who has been involved in Vegan Lifestyle Association. Trying to help people make a vegan choice is a positive contribution that is tiring and often thankless. Well done for trying to make a go of it.

Chantal from Vegan Lifestyle Association did inform me that the group will be somewhat sticking around in the form of its digital It’s Easy 2 B Vegan campaign. You can see the links for the social media accounts below:

Facebook itseasy2bvegan

Twitter @itseasy2bvegan

Instagram @itseasy2bvegan

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London comfort food spot closes

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I have been out of the UK for six months and during that time many new vegan opportunities have arisen. I have a list of things I need to try that opened while I was in Mexico.

Near the top of that list was Top Dog, the US-style hot dog diner in Soho with an amazing separate vegan menu.

Josh first wrote about it here.

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So, I rocked up today only to find the fast food joint closed! Peering through the windows, it looks as though it was shut down in a hurry as there were still boxes of food and kitchen equipment inside.

Josh reached out to the company today and got the following response:


Sad times. I didn’t get to try it!

Did you make it to Top Dog during its short lifetime? What did you think?

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Maoz London closed?

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This is terrible news.

A reader named Chris posted on my Facebook page yesterday to ask if I knew anything about Maoz on Old Compton Street being closed. He said it was shut with no sign of it being temporary and the HappyCow listings site has it marked as closed.

I am devastated.

I can’t remember the number of times I’ve stumbled into the store for a bag of hot chips after a few too many pints at a nearby gay bar.

It really was one of the best places for vegans to eat in Central London.

Falafel and Belgian fries from Maoz in London
Falafel and Belgian fries from Maoz in London

I have emailed the company to see if they have any news regarding the closure. If you have any further information, please let me know.

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Vegan restaurant closed

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Sad news reached me this weekend regarding the closure of a London vegan restaurant.

Greenz is actually a destination I never got to before it closed. I don’t know if it was the location near Tulse Hill station that kept me from making the journey or a lack of interest in their menu, but I never was inspired to get along.

I can’t put my finger on why I didn’t get there, but I was never intrigued by what I had read or been told.

Now it is too late.

This message is currently posted on the Greenz website:

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Vegan ice cream wars strike

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We have a casualty.

The Vegan Ice Cream Wars are a brutal battleground and certainly not for those with a nervous disposition. It is a cruel world where creating a product that people enjoy is not enough. The prohibitive cost behind producing, promoting and distributing would make most people not want to get out of bed.

Darrelle and Phil of Razzle Dazzle Ices were brave enough to get out of bed. For the last three years, they have been creating their range of vegan ice creams and tirelessly promoting the products at vegan festivals all over the country.

Razzle Dazzle Ices even came along to my giant bowling fundraiser for Sea Shepherd back in January 2013 and shared their popular treats with attendees.

But the sad news has arrived via a Facebook announcement posted by Phil:

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Saf set to close

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I would like to offer you the choice of hearing the good news or the bad news first, but to be honest I only have devastating news.

I am decidedly depressed to break the news that Saf Restaurant & Bar located in Whole Foods Market Kensington is set to close forever.

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Shut it down

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Remember how I raved about Mella Cafe on Oxford Street? I was so excited to share news of a completely vegan eatery serving up tasty, healthy food in the centre of the capital.

Well, there is some sad news to be shared. I just received the following message from Lynda via Facebook:

“I’m working in Berners St from today so I went along to Mella just now (for the first time – very excited) and it was all boarded up down there. The Bureau de Change man said yesterday was their last day and the landlord came to see the owner. He doesn’t know what was said, but that was that.”

Mella
Mella

Thanks to Lynda for the heads up but this is such a shame. I would love to know what happened and if the people behind Mella plan on resurfacing elsewhere. Anybody know?

You gotta support vegan businesses, people!