Outraged activists have taken aim at a famous vegan restaurant chain after announcing it would close all locations a year after adding meat to its menu.
Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, which has restaurants throughout California, was once a leader in the plant-based casual dining experience.
Originally known as Sage Vegan Bistro, chef and owner Mollie Engelhart announced a change in direction along with a rebrand last year.
Engelhart rebranded the chain and implemented a range of animal products on the menu.
The decision to do so was widely criticized and sparked protests by vegan activists who even formed an angry mob in front of one of the restaurants.
An announcement earlier this week that restaurants will close has brought great joy to former customers who continued to criticize the move.
In a statement on Instagram, the company said: “As we reflect on the journey that began in 2011, we remember Mollie and Elias at the farmers market, picking up the freshest farm-to-table produce (long before they were a couple). ).
‘For the past 14 years, their unwavering commitment to quality food and supporting local farmers has been at the heart of our restaurant.
Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, which has restaurants throughout California, was a leader in the plant-based casual dining experience.
Originally known as Sage Vegan Bistro, chef and owner Mollie Engelhart announced a change in direction along with a rebrand last year.
‘A year ago, we faced enormous challenges and they made the difficult decision to sell their home in the hope of breathing new life into Sage.
‘We all put our passion into changing the concept towards regenerative agriculture, but despite our efforts, today we find ourselves in the same situation.
‘Sunday, January 5th will be our last day of service. We invite you to visit us during our last week. Please share your favorite memories with us; They refer to the world.
‘Thank you for 14 incredible years of support. With the love of the Sage family, Mollie and Elias, we say goodbye.”
The top comment on the post came from animal rights organization PETA, who said: ‘LA’s first and LAST regenerative kitchen. Serving humanely washed meat, dairy and eggs under the sham of ‘regenerative agriculture’ betrayed the animals, the planet and the kind customers who weren’t fooled by their cruel choices.’
Another person said: ‘My favorite memory is when compassion and ethics were on the menu.
“It’s very evident now that you were simply struggling to find a way to make more money last year and you lost your way, sold the animals and put the farm first. I’m not surprised you’re closing.
Another added: “We already said goodbye to Sage. What a bummer that dead animals didn’t give you enough money to stay open.
Earlier this week it was announced that the restaurants would be closing, much to the delight of their former clientele.
talking to him Los Angeles TimesEngelhart said the plan for moving toward animal products was to “focus on sourcing and proselytizing regenerative agricultural practices.”
The renowned chef announced the restaurant’s transition to regenerative agriculture in an Instagram post on Earth Day last year.
They began offering meats like bison and beef, as well as cheese and eggs, which sparked considerable reaction.
Tensions rose last June when activists stormed the restaurant and even threw fake blood in protest.
“These people came into my restaurant, harassed my customers, harassed my employees, vandalized my restaurant and openly said they wanted to put me out of business,” Engelhart said. FoxDigital At the moment.
He also cited rising crime in his local Echo Park neighborhood as one of the biggest challenges facing his business.
They began offering meats such as bison and beef, as well as cheese and eggs, which sparked considerable reaction.
Tensions rose last June when activists stormed the restaurant and even threw fake blood in protest.
“Friday night there was a stabbing right outside the restaurant,” Engelhart said. ‘The neighborhood already feels chaotic and scary without this added stress.
“It’s illegal what these people are doing, harassing customers and staff inside the restaurant, and the police didn’t show up for three hours.”
After making the decision to make his restaurant non-vegan, he also told The LA Times: “I had the same worldview as them before I changed my ideas based on my experience in farming, and I have compassion for what what they do.” you are feeling.
‘I hope that the vegan community and the regenerative community can really come together because I think they are both powerful avenues for change.
“It’s vulnerable to say publicly, ‘I believed one thing, and maybe I was wrong and now I believe something else.'”
“But I hope it inspires people in their own lives to be willing to keep an open mind when something else makes more sense to you.”