Herbivorous Butcher’s Owners Vow to Rebuild After Fire Closes Nation’s First Vegan Butcher Shop | Eater Twin Cities
"A kitchen fire ripped through the shop on Tuesday night; firefighters arrived around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, and no injuries were reported. Aubry Walch, via an emailed statement to Eater, writes that the blaze began in the ceiling above the kitchen. Sprinklers suppressed most of the flames but flooded the space, and the operation has closed while ownership assesses the damage with the intent of temporarily moving some production to St. Paul sibling J. Selby’s. Siblings Aubry and Kale Walch remain hopeful and vow to reopen; they’ve already raised more than $16,000 as they start their journey toward reopening, and a GoFundMe with a $100,000 goal has attracted donations from vegans across the country. Kale Walch says they’re heartbroken: "This shop has always been more than just a business — it’s a space we built with love for our team, our customers, and our community," and later adds, "We’re deeply thankful for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received," followed by "Every donation, every share, every kind message — it means more than we can say. We truly feel held by our community." Walch also writes, "And if you’re able to donate, in any amount, it makes a real difference," and "Thank you for standing with us." Though repairs could take a while, much of the kitchen equipment — the appliances used to steam and smoke the vegan meats — remains intact; in an interview with the Star Tribune, he joked, "You know, smoked chicken, there’s a market for it." Through a variety of techniques the shop creates vegan food that tastes like meat: popular items include pastrami, a Porterhouse steak, Brie cheese, and Korean-style short ribs. The operation, which began as a farmers market vendor in 2014 before opening a permanent location in 2016, produces upwards of 15 homemade meat-free meats and an array of plant-based cheeses. Media quickly labeled the restaurant as the world’s first vegan butcher shop, and the food has wowed vegans and omnivores alike. Hot in-store specials include red miso ribs made with a tofu and jackfruit base, hot chili cheese dogs made with seitan, and shepherd’s pie; shoppers can also grab vegan porter cheddar or mint chocolate truffles from the case." - Ashok Selvam
