Vegan Shop Up

I’ve been to vegan shop up 4 times so far (once in Lower east side and three times in Brooklyn). Even though it is a trek to Brooklyn for me I still go! Always great vendors– especially Sweet Maresa’s vegan macarons. I almost go just for her and stock up on Macarons. :D many other pastry/​dessert vendors like gone pie bakery, brooklyn whiskers.
You can also definitely get lunch here– yeah dawg (vegan hot dogs), tacos, empanadas etc. There are usually clothing/​accessories vendors as well. If you go on the vegan shop up website (
) there is always a list of vendors!
Pine box rock shop is a little small and it gets very crowded. They also card you as it is a bar, fyi– so probably not kid-​friendly!
Some vendors take credit card but some are cash only, so make sure you have CASH!
I definitely recommend this for vegans and those interested in the vegan lifestyle to explore yummy vegan food and merchandise, and to support local vendors/​small businesses.

I love this pop up event! They do a great job of curating the vendors. All of the food is amazing — delicious, filling, and innovative. Make sure you check out Cinnamon Snail, Monks Meats, Yeah Dawg, and all the others. Such a fun vibe — the atmosphere is a lot of fun for vegans and non-​vegans alike.

Usually I do not eat vegan food, but this place became an exception. It might be because I was extremely hungry on that day and that’s why it tasted so good but, probably I think it was due to how awesome they cook at this place. It was really delicious, I will definitely come more and also I will bring my friends to try their food.

Vegan Shop Up is a wonderful concept of bringing vegan vendors to one place so that vegans, foodies, and everyone else can try their food. All these vendors are small businesses, so it’s a great way to support them instead of big corporations. Yes, some things here are on the expensive side (many organic, some local and organic… what do you expect), but you will leave with a happy tummy if you scout out the things you really do want.
I am vegan myself, and found it wonderful that I didn’t have to guess or ask what did nor did not have animal products in them. While a great concept, I think the big thing they need to work on is the space. I attended the shop up at Pine Box, which is bar. A crowded bar. Add in vendors with tables that line the walls and people (both shop up-​ers and bar-​goers), it is very crowded and makes it hard to enjoy whatever I’m eating. I was never able to linger in front of a vendor for long, and I think that hurts the business, because I (and probably others are with me on this one, too) never got to ask the questions I wanted to ask or sample some of their foods, much less buy them.
I will attend again because I want to try some vendors I didn’t get a chance to (Freakin’ Vegan, The Queen Majesty, Gone Pie, Organic Grill), retry what I did love (Samosa Shack NY, Chai Mookie, 3 Little Birds), and avoid what I wasn’t a fan of (Yeah Dawgs texture was funky! The toppings and kale were amazing though)

I’ve been going to the Vegan Shop-​Up since the one that was held in the [sadly, now defunct] In Pursuit of Tea shop on Crosby street. The best thing about the Shop-​Up is that it brings together vegan vendors you might never have discovered otherwise, who might not have been able to afford a store of their own, and allows them to make a buck.
The worst thing is the overcrowding; the market has grown tremendously since its start – not just the number of vendors, but the number of shoppers – including people with their toddlers in strollers. Add to that that it’s in a bar, and because there are no other tenants in this former casket factory, you can even bring your dog! It gets crazy and crowded every time now.
Because I’ve been going to this for so long, I fortunately know there are places that now stock many products from these vendors – and that’s a very good thing. I don’t stress if I leave and realize I forgot something; often it’s a case that I wasn’t able to get near that particular table or booth.
It’s always a fun time, and now on my way home I can go to Haymaker’s for anything I may have forgotten. I love being a 21^st-​ventury vegan – the options just keep expanding!

Interesting… a monthly mini vegan expo held in a bar. It was filled wall-​to-​wall with people but also welcoming because everybody was warm toward each other, young or old. Everybody’s friendliness made waiting on long lines for everything suck less. The vendors were mostly food but there were some other things such as cruelty-​free bags and wallets and vegan-​themed tee shirts. I was there strictly for the food. Good stuff and not cheap. Lunch for 2, no drinks, about $ 60:
2 Samosa Shack samosas (flavorful but kinda soggy, should have been crispy)
1 Monks Meats «Not Katz’s» pastrami sandwich (great seitan!)
1 Yeah Dawg hot dog with «the works» with kale (satisfied my carnivore companion)
2 Freakin Vegan empanadas with chipotle sauce (delish!)
1 Gone Pie peanut butter caramel cup, and 1 chocolate-​trufflish thing (yum!)
It’s just so great having a variety of tasty grub to choose from that I didn’t have to cook myself, and not having to ask, «what’s in that?»

Vegan heaven!
loved it
will be coming back

Oh, sweet, sweet heaven on Earth for hungry herbivores… If the Vegan Shop Up was a person, I’d part with my fear of commitment and marry it. In case it’s not already crystal clear, I love the Vegan Shop Up (VSU). As somebody who adheres to a strict, plant-​based diet, there’s nothing I enjoy more than sampling different foods and never needing to ask whether something contains dairy… or eggs (while I hope and pray that whomever I’m asking knows what they’re talking about). Let’s chat…
Things that make me feel warm and gooey inside:
1. The variety! There are so many awesome vendors here, offering up a vast number of different things. You can find savory food, desserts, bath/​body products, tea, etc. Some of my FAVORITE vendors include… The Cinnamon Snail (uh… hello, obviously – see my Cinnamon Snail review for the DL on the world’s best food truck); Yeah Dawg (AMAZING hot dogs made with seeds, different flours and root veggies – no icky soy or weird ingredients, tons of toppings, gluten free options and fantastic/​friendly service); Gone Pie (first… how is this place not on Unilocal – needs to happen, second… the desserts here are literally to die for – like I might literally put myself in harm’s way for their gluten-​free goodness – we’re talking pecan pie, cashew butter cups, loaded brownies, cookies, and the list goes on – just get there); Sweet Maresa’s (mother of all macarons – they are gluten free, come in some incredibly creative flavors and all around, mouthgasmic); Lagusta’s Lucious (some of the best and most interestingly flavored vegan chocolate you’ll ever want or need to know); and Three Little Birds, serving up some delicious ice cream, also in imaginative flavors like candied yams with pecans – uh, yes please!
2. The Brooklyn Shop Up (there’s also one in midtown, but I’ve not been to that one), the original, the best… is held at Pine Box Rock Shop, a vegan bar! Is that not the most
thing you’ve ever heard? Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit, but this is a SUPER cool space, and I love the fact that I can indulge in vegan goodness while getting slightly buzzed. Again, another reason why the VSU is heavenly!
3. The crowd! There’s just something special about being surrounded by like minded individuals who believe that a plant-​based diet CAN be incredibly delicious and is the ultimate key to healthful, environmentally-​friendly living. The shoppers are an eclectic bunch and always willing to chat! The vendors are indescribably cool, warm, friendly, accommodating, you name it! Overall amazing vibes!
Things that make me question my sanity (occasionally):
1. The Shop Up starts at 12 noon. I almost ALWAYS arrive as they’re opening (close street parking is also plentiful at this time). The two times I’ve arrived closer to 2:00, the lines have been insane, specifically for The Cinnamon Snail and Sweet Maresa’s macarons. When I’m hungry… I get hangry… and when I get hangry… I’m not at all interested in waiting in line OR pleasant to be around. So, if you want to avoid long lines, get there either when they open or towards closing.
2. Most of the vendors are cash only, and like all good things, it can get pricey. I almost always go with $ 60 – 80 on me and without fail, spend it all. I also have the appetite of a 300 pound lineman, so that could be the issue… but, you get the point. Come prepared to spend some cash.
Tips:
1. You must be 21 to enter (it’s a bar, after all). There is usually a gentleman at the door checking ID.
2. The food truck (Cinnamon Snail) is obviously outside, so be prepared to wait in line… outside… in the cold (during winter)… if you want that, which you WILL want THAT.
3. It’s not a daily or weekly event, so check out their blog or Facebook page for information on scheduling, vendor lists, etc.
4. In the summer, I think you’ll find a longer vendor list and surely more vendors outside on the side walk – can’t wait!
If you’re still debating whether or not the VSU sounds like a good idea… then you clearly need to reread or check out some of the photos, because this place is not to be missed!

The Vegan Shop Up concept is awesome!!! As a vegan, I love learning about new local vendors and all their yummy foods and ethical gear and goods.
Once a month (or twice in December for the holidays) on a Saturday from 12PM-​6PM, many vegans or curious non-​vegans congregate inside Pine Box Rock Shop, a vegan bar in Bushwick. There is so much to eat! And you can have a beer from the bar to wash down your vegan food!
I love Spanky’s Kitchen! The vendor has the best vegan lasagna and brownies ever!!! Go for the oatmeal raisin brownies. I discovered a new vendor named Cocoburg, offering coconut jerky which taste way better than beef jerky! There’s plenty of dessert for the sweet tooth and Cinnamon Snail is parked outside next to the bar so you can get your donut fix too.
Unfortunately, I’m not a cow with four stomachs so I get full pretty quickly, but the next time I go, I will bring tupperwares so I can buy, taste/​nibble and save it for later!

Vegan Shop Up is the best. Get there early to get a seat and a huge bloody mary, then send a scout to buy you delicious foods while you sit at the bar and scarf.
Everything is worth trying once. I can’t even begin to list all the yumminess.

Checked this out for the first time yesterday. Vegan or not, I would definitely recommend it. Several food options make it hard to decide — I will hopefully make it back to try some I missed out on. Cinnamon Snail is of course always amazing. Ethiopian was good. There’s a few vegan baked goods tables, some with vegan spreads, some soups, chai, etc. I would definitely come on the earlier side, around 12, because it did get crowded around 1:30−2. Didn’t have the drinks so can’t comment on that. Also, there were some small dogs allowed inside and some bigger dogs outside so it appears to be pet-​friendly!

Where to start???
After getting off the L train at Morgan Av, I meandered towards Grattan St. to find Pine Box Rock Shop. I got there pretty early, so vendors were still setting up shop. A line was already forming at the Cinnamon Snail. The actual venue (Pine Box Rock Shop) is a bar, and the event was smaller than I expected. I wished that more of it were outdoors because it was such nice weather.
Honestly, the worst part about this vegan shop up is that I only have one stomach. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I can throw down when it comes to stuffing that one tummy, but there are still limits.
I wanted to try EVERYTHING, and everyone was so friendly. Shoutout to Gabby of Tamerlaine Farm, who had us do a secret taste test of some different salsa batches. Also to Barry, who gave us a free tempeh plate in exchange for running to the store to buy him some salt. It was great to arrive early– samples of everything, friendly chats with all the vendors, and less crowded. It definitely got PACKED around 2−4pm.
We tried the vegan caribbean jerk empanadas from Pine Box, which were awesome. My friend was completely clueless that there was NO meat in it, it tasted that good!
Mac and cheese from Cake Thieves (I wish there were some broccoli or some other veggie in it), the Thanksgiving Sandoo from Cinnamon Snail (omg delicious), and yes, had a bite of 3 different desserts from Cinnamon Snail including the crème brûlée donut.
Finally, chocolate chai ice cream from Alchemy Creamery.
I still can’t believe the feast we had here. Vegan gluttony exists, ya’ll.
Next time I can’t wait to try Bunna Café!
I do wish that there were some sort of seating outside, and that more of the vendors were able to set up tables outside during nice weather. No sweat, sitting on the curb in the sunlight and imagining a beach never hurt anyone.

If you are vegan you need to come here. If you are not vegan but have a somewhat open mind you will still find some top-​notch food choices here. Bunna Café (which now have their own storefront), Yeah Dawg! and The Cinnamon Snail are all individually each worth the trip, but you also get a number of other retailers to choose from and Pine Box Rock Shop has a great craft beer selection and at happy hour prices ($ 5 – 6 I believe), since the shop up takes place 12pm-​6pm every month. If you drive parking is really easy and if you take the subway, the L train is only a couple of blocks away. No excuses. Get here.
Side note: Yeah Dawg! deserves a retail location! It is sooo good. Far better than tofu pups or smart dogs. Plus they have an interesting assortment of toppings.

First I must start off by saying you don’t have to be a vegan, a vegetarian, not even a pescatarian to attend and enjoy this cute little monthly shop-​up.
I’m not a vegan although I’m trying to make my way there — it can’t happen overnight but I’m trying to get there.
This little shop-​up where different vendors share their tasty vegan treats, their goods and believe me you won’t go empty handed.
What I like most about it (don’t judge me) is where it’s held.
I don’t even have to go into details their happy hour makes you really happy alright-​ha!

Alright so I’m mixed about this.
I wan to love it and, to a certain extent, I really, really do. I mean a pop up all vegan shop in front of an all vegan bar? AWESOME. The good/​bar is that it’s just so small. I mean, that’s freaking awesome that so many people wan tot enjoy vegan goodies but it gets to be too much. I’ve gone a few times and each time I just want to be like in, out, done.
I go, of course for Cinnamon Snail and I also enjoy Cake Thieves. I recently purchased Tree Line Cheese which is amazing and meow meow tweet is there, another company I love. So the vendors are great but it’s small, cramped and dark. I don’t know how else this could be remedied so that’s the only reason I give it 3 stars.
I’ve actually never had a drink at the bar.
Oh and when you get your food, you pretty much have to stay squatting on the curb to eat it because there’s no comfortable place to sit down and nosh.
The food is so good so it’s worth it but it’s also gross. Bring something to sit on.

Let me start with I am from the Bronx! I travel all the way to Bushwick for this event every month! Pine Box is an awesome bar. If I lived in the area I would totally be a regular. Now back to the shop-​up. There are some regular vendors you have check out. My favorites: bunna café, cinnamon snail, yea dawg and treeline cheese! The event starts at 12, but I haven’t been before 2 PM. I usually end up staying until the end. If you happen to stay late sometimes the vendors offer you free food — but this doesn’t mean you should spend money and support. There are usually a few t-​shirt vendors like Pure Apparel or Compassionco.
It can be a little packed at peak time:1−3PM.

The shop-​up is 12 – 6. Try and get there by ²⁄₃ so you can experience everything. Also, bring your id or they won’t let you into the back portion of the bar to see the rest of the vendors.

Ah, Vegan Shop Up. Last month I felt like I found what would fill my second Saturdays in perpetuity. Today my confidence was rocked a little bit.
Let’s start out by making clear: Vegan advocacy and business are awesome. Being in the company of like minded people celebrating something so positive for health, animals and the environment is wonderful. And the sweets available at Vegan Shop Up continue to delight. More on that later.
Here are some concerns:
–It is great that the Pine Box Rock Shop holds this event. And what is not great is the behavior of their bartenders. Anything called «Vegan Shop Up» should be intensely warm and welcoming. The bartenders are the opposite of that. Today my wife and two Unilocal Philly friends attempted to order drinks at the bar and were completely ignored. In my wife’s case it was at around Noon before a crowd had even assembled! I am so happy that because of my teetotaling this is not something that affects my Vegan Shop Up experience.
–In the absence of Cinnamon Snail, the lunch options did not pick up the slack. You can see my reviews of Yeah Dawg and Heirloom Eatery for details. To be fair, Heirloom Eatery totally owned it when I brought this up on Twitter.
–I would have tried the tempeh place because their food looked so good but the guy there used the sauce that was out for sampling to dress a salad. You never know what germs are getting into the sampling food so don’t drench salads you’re selling with it!
–Sanitary laxity was a recurring theme as one of the Yeah Dawg guys had a toothpick in his mouth. Do not serve food when you have something in your mouth you are obviously going to put your hands on at some point!
–This next critique is beyond the control of the Vegan Shop Up organizers but is worth mentioning. Cinnamon Snail’s absence hurt and so did the L train difficulties. Because of that I drove from Philly. Easy to park but a bit of a hassle to get back to 278. If you’re coming from far and Cinnamon Snail isn’t there or the L train has shuttle buses I would suggest waiting until the next one.
I have a feeling that the vendor to try at this Cinnamon Snail-​less Shop Up was the Ethiopian place at the back of Pine Box. The food people had from there looked fantastic.
And now on to the positive. What a place for vegan dessert! I bought a doughnut from a lady whose tip jar had a picture of her and her girlfriend and read «I like it so help me put a ring on it.» That made my day!
Really enjoyed my Alchemy Creamery ice cream in its recyclable Popsicle.
The macrons! I told the woman selling them it was like I was in Paris again.
Lagusta’s Luscious Chocolate is great! So happy they came all the way from New Paltz!
VRanch chipotle dressing is awesome! So excited to eat it with anything and everything!

Love this once a month event in Brooklyn! Follow them on FB to see who’s going to be there. Cinnamon Snail is a regular & vegan cocktails at the Pinebox are top notch. At least 20 vendors were there in August.

I cannot believe that I am only finding out about this place just now…
This vegan shop up happens once a month at Pine Box Rock Shop in Bushwick!
A friend of mine that does vegan Ethiopian pop-​up told me about this event and I am so glad he gave me the tip!
Everything sold here is VEGAN, so you don’t have to keep asking questions. Just look around and if you see something that whets your appetite, go for it!
I, of course, had to have the Ethiopian food. They are known as Bunna Café and have pop-​ups all around the city, but usually somewhere in the underbelly of Brooklyn.
I was also very excited to see the Cinnamon Snail truck parked right out front. They make a nice refreshing iced coffee infused with star anise.
I also met some really cute and friendly girls selling vegan cookies. They are called Dauphin Bakery and they sell to some coffee bars in Brooklyn including Kave Café.
The only complaint here is that there is not enough seating to eat all the goodies you bought. We found ourselves on the sidewalk, and that made it a bit messy, especially with Ethiopian and injera!