In a recent development, Souley Vegan, a prominent vegan soul food restaurant in the Bay Area, ceased operations after an active run of 14 years. Having started as a unique Black and woman-owned vegan venture in Oakland, the restaurant struggled due to reduced footfall and the impact of COVID-19, leading to its closure. Chef and owner Tamearra Dyson, an Oakland native, had focused on shaping a community-centric environment that offered a fulfilling Louisiana Creole cuisine experience, all while being plant-based, according to SF Chronicle.
Even with a restricted budget, Dyson established Souley Vegan in 2009. From a small start, it achieved great success, evolving into a vegan business with ghost kitchen extensions across Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. However, all these locations are now shut, and a projected second outlet in Oakland, named the Back Porch, was never implemented, as Oaklandside reports.
In reaction to the ordeals during the pandemic, Dyson initiated a GoFundMe campaign in August to handle rising financial roadblocks and possibly expand her enterprise. The campaign brought in over $11,000, still short of her goal of $25,000. Despite concerted efforts from Dyson and her staff, the farewell to Souley Vegan has been an unforeseen and tragic occurrence for both its consistent customers and the larger community.
This closure doesn't mark a lone event in Oakland's vegan dining sphere. Vegan Mob, yet another well-liked vegan soul food spot, closed down in September to concentrate on a new definitive place in San Francisco.
Even with the original Oakland location's termination, Dyson stays positive about the future. She shared an anticipation to reintroduce Souley Vegan in a different Bay Area location, although specific details were not divulged.
