2 minute read
EXPANDING THEIR REACH
Love Again Local breaks into wholesale and retail
“We don’t really want a plan B, we don’t want to do something else,” says Elena Mascherino, owner and founder of West Chester’s unique vegan sandwich shop, Love Again Local. Along with vegan butcher and store manager Abe Koffenberger, it doesn’t seem like they’ll have to worry about a plan B, as the bustling eatery gears up to launch their new line of vegan deli meats.
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The meat is made from a wheat-based protein, seitan, which is different from Beyond and Impossible, two major plantbased meat options that use pea and soy protein. And it is double-cooked, which adds aroma and reduces grease. Their artisan, small-batch technique makes it taste better than store-brand alternatives and “adds a bit of a personal touch that’s
kind of charming,” says Abe. To start, LAL will wholesale to local shops, such as pizza shops that already use vegan cheese and want to add vegan meats. Five “meats” — pepperoni, turkey, pastrami, ham and cuban pork — will be sold to local retailers first. They plan expanding further to include products such as cheese, dressings, and soups, all branded as LAL Brand Vegan Deli.
Beyond West Chester, they’re targeting V Marks the Shop in Philly, Newark Natural Foods in Delaware, and Kimberton Whole Foods, as well as other co-ops and small grocery stores. “People really love to make sandwiches out of it,” Elena said. “We definitely see that there is a market for it.” As of press time, the new deli line will have a soft launch in March and will be tested out in a few select locations before a full release in April.
Since its beginning, Love Again Local’s creations have “floored a lot of non-vegan people,” Elena says, and they hope that their new deli line will continue to attract vegans and non-vegans alike. They try to make the experience like an authentic deli, and, with the obvious exception of all their plant-based sandwiches, “it’s all classic and familiar,” Elena says. One of the aspects that they stand by is their dedication to a positive work environment and enjoying what they do. “We wouldn’t be doing it if we weren’t having fun,” Elena says, and their positive outlook extends to their goal to have their customers leave with a smile.
What’s next for the enterprising team of Love Again Local? “Conquer the entire universe,” Abe jokes in Elena’s direction. In that pursuit of world domination, they hope to open subsequent restaurants in different locations, with an eventual production facility for all of their house-made items. Elena says, “We don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re good at figuring it out.” Their humble outlook and passion for food and customers has turned this local vegan shop into something larger, and, much like Abe describes their new meat products, has become “something more unique in itself.”
photo ERIK WEBER @westchesterviews story ALISON ROLLER @ali.roll