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Ybor City Vegan Deli / Facebook

The owners of both locations took to social media last week to announce the eventual closure of both plant-based eateries. Its Ybor City deli, at 1903 N 19th St., will close at the end of this month. It's unclear when the flagship Dunedin location will actually close, as its owners state that it will stay open for as long as possible."

Online ordering for both locations will stay up and running for the time being, where folks can order loaded sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, salads and house-made seitan by the half-pound.

According to recent Facebook posts, there are a culmination of reasons behind the impending closure of Ybor City's Vegan Deli, including "the economy, supply chain shortages, changes in city parking laws that no longer allow our customers to park for free behind our deli, and staffing issues." Jamey Harper and EJ Easterbrook own all of the Vegan Deli locations (alongside a group of investors), and told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that its other locations in Orlando and Sarasota have closed as well. When Ybor City's deli closes at the end of October, its original storefront in Dunedin will be their very last location open.

The social media post goes on to explain that both its Dunedin and Ybor City locations are up for sale, as any interested buyers should email [emailprotected]

Throughout 2021, the locally-owned chain rapidly expanded on both sides of the bridge, and opened its fourth location in Ybor City in April of last year. A fifth Tampa Bay location was slated to open in Pinellas Park in fall 2022 , but Harper states that it's no longer in the works.

Despite Brandon's Vegan Deli closing earlier this year due to staffing issues, Harper tells CL that "there's a very slim chance" that a new location may open in Wesley Chapel eventually.

Read more from the original source:

Ybor Citys Vegan Deli will close at the end of the month - Creative Loafing Tampa