LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Foodies often flock to Las Vegas, known for its array of culinary delights including plant-based options. But the once booming vegan market has taken a hit.
“You’re looking at restaurants that really push the vegan, plant-based etc., but they’re not reaching outside that community, necessarily,” Diana Eldeman, a plant-based marketing expert and the founder of Vegans, Baby!, said
Eldeman said brand and image play a big role.
“It really is important to kind of tap into all the things that make you a fantastic restaurant besides the word vegan.” She said some are even adding to their menus to entice meat-eaters. “A few of them have gone from vegan to vegetarian to now serving meat.”
Others, remained steadfast like Veg-In-Out Vegan Market.
“All vegan. 100% vegan,” Erik Rogers, the former owner of the market, said.
He and his wife opened the store just months before the pandemic. Between supply chain issues and rising costs, the business only survived two years. While he said the vegan community was very supportive, it just wasn’t enough.
“It’s just something you’re so passionate about, this could work, this could work.”
But places like NoButcher have carved out a slice of the market by serving up plant-based food for almost five years.
“Your food must be attractive to everyone, or at least flexitarians as we call it,” Sebastian Mueller, the co-owner of the deli, said. “I would say about 50 percent of our customers are not vegans.”
Mueller said their appeal is the from-scratch fast option.
“When it’s not too busy and you order something from the drive-thru, it takes us 90 seconds from ordering to get the food out.” But he admits that owning a plant-based only eatery has its challenges since so many restaurants have vegan options now. “You’re competing with all restaurants in Las Vegas. That’s the bar, that’s the new bar.”
Mueller said they’re grateful for their success and are now giving back to those in need. They host an occasional free breakfast at the restaurant to thank those who’ve supported them throughout the years.
