A California restaurant chain faces an unexpected shutdown amid intense backlash from the vegan community over its recent menu changes.
According to Breitbart News, Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, with locations in Pasadena and Echo Park, will permanently close its doors on Sunday following fierce protests and online criticism after adding meat options to its previously all-vegan menu.
The decision to include items like bison burgers and cheese sparked outrage among vegan activists, leading to protests and negative reviews that significantly impacted the business. Owner Mollie Engelhart's attempt to expand the restaurant's appeal through regenerative farming methods failed to appease the establishment's core vegan customer base.
The restaurant's transformation triggered immediate resistance from vegan activists who organized protests and launched social media campaigns against the establishment. Demonstrators wielding "Meat Is Murder" signs staged protests inside the restaurant, while others took to defacing the property with fake blood on the sidewalk outside.
Financial challenges, including mounting rent and tax obligations, compounded the situation for the business. The combination of activist pressure and economic difficulties proved insurmountable for the restaurant chain's survival.
One particularly vocal critic expressed their sentiment on social media, stating:
There's no honour in unnecessary killing. You are guilty of crimes against compassion. You were never vegan. Vegans do not go back and let down the innocent animals. Regeneration comes from rewilding not just better welfare. Sad and hypocritical and karma deserving.
The restaurant's closure announcement on Instagram drew polarized responses from the community. While some celebrated the shutdown, others defended the establishment and criticized the aggressive tactics employed by protesters.
Another social media user condemned the protesters' approach with the following statement:
The disgusting, uncalled for, annoying, disruptive and inhumane treatment of the 'vegan police' towards the staff and owners, in the name of being humane towards animals…when they themselves were being the absolutely hateful doggone tribe…will never go unnoticed karmically!!! That's on them!!!
The controversy has sparked broader discussions about activism methods and their impact on local businesses. The incident highlights the growing tensions between traditional dining establishments and vocal advocacy groups in the food industry.
After fourteen years of operation, Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery's closing marks the end of an era for the local dining scene. The establishment's final Instagram post expressed gratitude to their loyal customers and supporters throughout their years of service.
The controversy surrounding the menu change reflects deeper divisions within the vegan community regarding business practices and ethical considerations. Despite the owner's intentions to implement sustainable farming methods, the departure from strict vegan principles proved to be the catalyst for the chain's ultimate downfall.
The closure affects both locations in Pasadena and Echo Park, impacting local employees and the broader community that had come to know the establishment as a dining destination.
Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, a fourteen-year fixture in California's restaurant scene, will cease operations on Sunday following intense opposition from vegan activists over its decision to include meat options on its menu. The controversy erupted when owner Mollie Engelhart introduced items like bison burgers and cheese despite sourcing them through regenerative farming methods, leading to protests, negative reviews, and, ultimately, the permanent closure of both Pasadena and Echo Park locations.
