Courtesy of Caryn Dugan
Caryn Dugan, a.k.a. STLVegGirl, is opening a brick-and-mortar spot in downtown Kirkwood.
The “perfect spot presented itself” after months of planning, and Dugan recently signed the lease, she said. The Center for Plant-based Living will be a mecca for all things vegan. It will host hands-on and demo cooking classes, private and group instruction, diabetes initiative programs, meal-prep classes, speaker’s series, continuing education courses, and corporate team-building classes, to name a few initiatives.
Courtesy of Caryn Dugan
The space has already passed its initial inspections. Dugan will put up a website for The Center for Plant-based Living in June, where people can register for classes and events. If all goes swimmingly, the center is expected to open in late July or early August.
“I came to a fork in the road with STLVegGirl. I could be doing more of the same or I could open a spot where I could do all of my classes and events,” Dugan said. “I have programs quite literally in binders that I’d love to run for my community. It’s time to dig in and put them to work.”
A brick-and-mortar space marks a milestone for Dugan, who has dedicated her career to teaching plant-based cooking and making vegan products more available in St. Louis. Dugan began her plant-based journey in 2008 after her father died from cancer. Ten weeks later, she was diagnosed with the disease.
Dugan took a hard look at her eating habits and realized that she needed to make changes. She eliminated animal products from her kitchen. She also began taking and teaching vegan cooking classes, which led to her starting her own business with a mission statement of “a plant on every plate.” Dugan partnered with Forks Over Knives to create the first Forks Over Knives Community and Support Program, which kicked off in St. Louis. The seven-week seminar is offered several times per year.
“People in St. Louis want to change their own lives and regain good health, but sometimes they don’t know how. I’m here to help them get the resources they need,” Dugan said. “I hope people walk away with empowerment, knowledge, inspiration, and support.”
The Center for Plant-based Living will be located at 131 West Jefferson in Downtown Kirkwood.
Video created in partnership with HEC Media
