Pine Box Rock Shop, Bushwick, Brooklyn - Home to the monthly Vegan Pop Up (c) travelincousins.com
It is so heartwarming to see just how many vegan business entrepreneurs there are right here in the New York City-Tri-State area! Aside from finding awesome food and natural products, I just love meeting new and interesting individuals. Each one has their own story to tell about their inspiration for starting their business. As I frequent these markets more and more, several are beginning to be familiar faces since many are on the "Pop Up" circuit in around the NYC-area.
Take for instance, the Vegan Shop-Up in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Established in 2011 as New York City's first monthly all vegan pop-up market, it features local vendors once monthly on a Saturday for the biggest cruelty-free bash in New York City.
Take for instance, the Vegan Shop-Up in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Established in 2011 as New York City's first monthly all vegan pop-up market, it features local vendors once monthly on a Saturday for the biggest cruelty-free bash in New York City.
Walking from Vendor to Vendor at the Vegan Shop Up (c) travelincousins.com
My first visit last Fall, I went solo since the promotional flyer said it was 21 and older. However, I found out that if accompanied by an adult, teens are welcome. So, guess where I'll be dragging my kids this coming Saturday?? Honestly, they wont have to be dragged - they love pop-up markets and if it's vegan, all the better!
For October, they will have a super festive "Scary Stories!" theme. What I love about these local market events is that while there are always regular vendors who are in attendance, they also attract new and upcoming businesses, with unique and cruelty-free products as well! I met some super nice folks when I attended - all dedicated to their vegan-based businesses!
What I am totally stoked about is that as a result of encountering more and more independent establishments, our Travelin' Cousins Vegan Resource Guide, and list of Vegan Approved business establishments just keeps growing! And, at a rate that is faster than we can update our Resource Guide and send congratulatory emails and our official Vegan Approved badge.
Whether you're an herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, or detritivore, this pop-up market is crammed full of such amazing food, jewelry, crafts and so much more, all from local business owners, making it wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
In fact, here are a few of the spectacular vegan vendors whose products I have come to know and love.
1. The Fanciful Fox
For October, they will have a super festive "Scary Stories!" theme. What I love about these local market events is that while there are always regular vendors who are in attendance, they also attract new and upcoming businesses, with unique and cruelty-free products as well! I met some super nice folks when I attended - all dedicated to their vegan-based businesses!
What I am totally stoked about is that as a result of encountering more and more independent establishments, our Travelin' Cousins Vegan Resource Guide, and list of Vegan Approved business establishments just keeps growing! And, at a rate that is faster than we can update our Resource Guide and send congratulatory emails and our official Vegan Approved badge.
Whether you're an herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, or detritivore, this pop-up market is crammed full of such amazing food, jewelry, crafts and so much more, all from local business owners, making it wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
In fact, here are a few of the spectacular vegan vendors whose products I have come to know and love.
1. The Fanciful Fox
Vegan Body care products from The Fanciful Fox (c) travelincousins.com
The Fanciful Fox, a mother and daughter-owned business of handcrafted personal care items. The range of products is everything from soaps and face scrubs to bath and lip products as well as a full line of soy candles.
They even offer baby, men's and doggie care items.
www.fancifulfox.myshopify.com
2. The Baklava Lady
They even offer baby, men's and doggie care items.
www.fancifulfox.myshopify.com
2. The Baklava Lady
Traditional & Pecan pie baklava (c) travelincousins.com
Naciye, the actual "Baklava Lady" has so much passion about her turkish desserts, for which she veganized and always offers a variety of flavors. HOLY COW!!! I do not lie when I say, that this talented chef's baklava is one of the best desserts I've ever eaten in my entire life. And while I tried a number of her variations, there was no question that the "traditional" was my absolute favorite!
www.thebaklavalady.com
3. Eat Chic Chocolates
www.thebaklavalady.com
3. Eat Chic Chocolates
(photo credit: eatchicchocolates.com)
Meeting the folks at Eat Chic Chocolates was a tasty experience! I indulged in four Peanut butter cups - each a different flavor, This Brooklyn-based confection brand handcrafts chocolates filled with their own small-batch organic nut and seed butters. which are vegan, gluten-free and soy-free, available in dozens of flavors.
During my last visit to the Shop Up, I had the pleasure of meeting the company's founder, Lotta Andonian, whose chocolates have been featured in publications such as Vogue.co.uk, Stylist, The Evening Standard, Grazia and BBC Good Food, to name a few!!
www.eatchicchocolates.com
4. Freakin' Vegans
During my last visit to the Shop Up, I had the pleasure of meeting the company's founder, Lotta Andonian, whose chocolates have been featured in publications such as Vogue.co.uk, Stylist, The Evening Standard, Grazia and BBC Good Food, to name a few!!
www.eatchicchocolates.com
4. Freakin' Vegans
Super yummy Mac n cheese, empanadas and more from Freakin' Vegans (c) travelincousins.com
Based in Prospect Park, New Jersey, this food kitchen offers a variety of vegan food options available for purchase and shipment through their website, along with their presence at pop-up events around the New York-area. According to their website, "All of our products are 100% vegan, and 200% freakin’ delicious!"
I'm a sucker for mac and cheese and so, I indulged in a heaping serving - which was fabulous! (sorry girls, none for you - this one was for Mommy!). However, I did bring my foodie daughters four empanadas - 2 broccoli and cheddar and 2 spinach and ricotta. Ok - I guess they got even, because I literally only got a bite! They devoured all four in a few hours of getting home. What I did taste of the spinach and ricotta empanada, I can say assuredly, it was freakin' dee-lish.
www.freakin-vegan.com
Of course, there are many more vendors and the best advice I can offer is to attend one Saturday. In my opinion, there is no better way I can think of to spend the day enjoying vegan goodies!
I'm a sucker for mac and cheese and so, I indulged in a heaping serving - which was fabulous! (sorry girls, none for you - this one was for Mommy!). However, I did bring my foodie daughters four empanadas - 2 broccoli and cheddar and 2 spinach and ricotta. Ok - I guess they got even, because I literally only got a bite! They devoured all four in a few hours of getting home. What I did taste of the spinach and ricotta empanada, I can say assuredly, it was freakin' dee-lish.
www.freakin-vegan.com
Of course, there are many more vendors and the best advice I can offer is to attend one Saturday. In my opinion, there is no better way I can think of to spend the day enjoying vegan goodies!
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