Animal Place Sanctuary Buys Berkeley’s All-Vegan Store, Republic of V
Via Republic of V on Facebook
Animal Place, one of California’s oldest and largest sanctuaries, has just added another arm to its operation: Republic of V. The Berkeley-based, all-vegan store has been bought by the renowned haven for farmed animals.
All profits from the store, which opened in 2014, will benefit Animal Place’s farmed animal rescue, sanctuary, education, and adoption programs.
Now re-named Animal Place’s Vegan Republic, the shop is one of only a few all-vegan establishments nationwide, and stocks everything from locally-made foods to clothing to books and more.
The store’s former owners, Joe Haptas and Noelle Callahan, approached Animal Place with the offer. Haptas did something similar back in 2005 when he sold a Seattle vegan food store to a local nonprofit animal sanctuary.
“We couldn’t pass up this opportunity to expand our vegan advocacy to the Bay Area and generate revenue to benefit the sanctuary,” said Animal Place executive director Kim Sturla in a press release. “Adding Republic of V to our flock is an ideal way to extend our message that the single most important action someone can take to help farmed animals is to adopt a vegan diet.”
Animal Place operates a 600-acre sanctuary in Grass Valley that’s home to more than 200 animals including cows, pigs, goats, sheep, turkeys, chickens, and rabbits. They also have a 60-acre shelter in Vacaville and a 15-acre residential internship property, also in Grass Valley.
“It is an absolute honor to pass the torch of the Republic of V to the premier farmed animal rescue sanctuary in the world, and we know they will continue the success of this cause-based business,” said Haptas. Animal Place is re-imagining what animal nonprofits can do by saving animals directly and indirectly through providing the community with compassionate and sustainable food choices.”
Animal Place will hold a grand re-opening of the Republic of V on Saturday, June 13, at its 1624 University Ave. location, so plan to pop in if you’re in Northern California.
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