One of Toronto's first and most beloved vegan food spots announced their closure last week after a whopping 19 years in business.
Live Organic Food Bar, known for its ultra-fresh salads, nutritious juices and creative vegan brunch, has been a longstanding mainstay at Dupont and Spadina for raw, organic, vegetable-forward eats. Although this was the last remaining restaurant of what was once a few different locations across the city, Live has expanded over the years to include product lines that can be found at various Toronto retailers. Like many, they did not anticipate remaining closed for more than a couple of shorts weeks when the pandemic hit at the beginning of March, but COVID-19 had other plans. After months of no business and the newly implemented restrictions on dining, owners Jennifer and Christopher Italiano made the difficult decision not to reopen their doors.
The Italianos took to Instagram to thank all of their loyal customers, staff and suppliers for their support over the many years they spent serving the community. "It's a journey we will never forget," they expressed. "We wish you all well and we will miss you. To our industry friends, stay strong, you have our never-ending support." Closing was not an easy decision for them to make after seeing so much success with their restaurant and brand. Unfortunately, COVID changed the hospitality industry's landscape and has forced many to adjust to the times.
On the bright side, Live is fortunate enough to carry on the ability to feed people with delicious, wholesome, plant-based food through their product lines and home delivery service. You can still grab their famous raw wraps and crackers, which are made almost entirely of veggies and spices alongside nut- and seed-based dips, flavourful salad dressings, cold-pressed juices and raw desserts (their Almond Dream squares are a must-try) at retailers across the GTA. Additionally, their Plant Boxes can still be ordered online for contactless delivery, allowing customers to get their fill of prepared meals, beverages, dips, sauces, snacks and more. Visit their website to browse through their products and place an order to show your support!
