Plant Blonde, a vegan bakery known for its empire biscuits praised by Nicola Sturgeon, is bidding farewell to two of its beloved coffee shops. The closures of their Hyndland Road and Buchanan Street locations have left many fans saddened and wondering about the reasons behind this decision.
The announcement, shared on Instagram by owners Jennifer Walls and Marc Sorbie, expressed gratitude to their loyal customers for being part of their journey. While the exact closure dates and reasons were not disclosed, the West End store is currently marked as “temporarily closed” on Google, hinting at the impending changes.
The Rise of Plant Blonde: Crafting Vegan Delights
Plant Blonde first opened its doors on Hyndland Street in 2022, quickly gaining popularity for its delicious plant-based treats. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon even declared their empire biscuit as the best she had ever tasted during a visit to the shop, catapulting the bakery to fame.
The bakery’s expansion continued with the opening of a second location inside the Lush flagship store on Buchanan Street in December 2023. This strategic move allowed them to reach a wider audience and share their passion for creating plant-based clean cakes with the highest quality ingredients.
Jennifer Walls, one half of the dynamic duo behind Plant Blonde, shared the story of how the business came to life during the challenging times of lockdown. Finding herself unable to start a job due to restrictions, she decided to channel her energy into something meaningful. Her love for coffee and the lack of vegan options in the market sparked the idea of creating a vegan empire biscuit, leading to the birth of Plant Blonde.
A Bittersweet Farewell: Messages from Fans
As news of the closures spread, loyal patrons of Plant Blonde took to social media to express their sadness and well wishes for the future. Many shared fond memories of popping in for a biscuit and expressed a sense of loss at not being able to visit their favorite spot anymore.
Amidst the messages of support, questions arose about where to find the beloved empire biscuits once the stores shut their doors. Fans reminisced about the joy of indulging in Plant Blonde’s creations and the unique experience of savoring each bite of their vegan treats.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Plant Blonde
Despite the closure of their coffee shops, Jennifer Walls and Marc Sorbie remain committed to their vision of creating exceptional plant-based desserts. The duo revealed plans for a new studio and bakery that is nearing completion, where they will continue to craft their signature treats for weddings and events.
The legacy of Plant Blonde lives on through the memories shared by loyal customers and the impact they have made in the vegan baking scene. As they embark on this new chapter, the bakery’s founders are grateful for the support of their community and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
In conclusion, Plant Blonde’s decision to close its two coffee shops marks the end of an era for fans of their delectable empire biscuits. While the future may hold uncertainty, the passion and dedication of Jennifer Walls and Marc Sorbie ensure that the spirit of Plant Blonde will continue to thrive in new and exciting ways.
