UPDATED: Vegan Freak, convenience store in Denton, closed on Saturday

by Teresa Gubbins

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Sad demise of unique all-vegan business.

DENTON — Vegan Freak, a convenience store in Denton selling 100% vegan goods from 100% vegan companies, closed on Saturday. Owners Abbey Autry and Brendan Carroll announced that they'll be hosting a close-out sale this week to liquidate their leftover merchandise.

The store opened in January 2011 in a 400-square-foot shop located on a former used-car lot as the only vegan-only store, selling unique items such as vegan queso, kombucha tea, Rescue Chocolates, Bee Free Honee, plus baked goods from Denton Vegan Cooperative.

In addition to food, they also sold vegan dog food, vegan cosmetics and body care products, eco-friendly cleaning products, and non-leather sports gear.

Autry and Carroll expressed optimism when they opened that Denton's student population could help keep a vegan store afloat. The University of North Texas opened a vegan cafeteria in August 2011 that became national news.

Vegan Freak offered unique giveaways, such as the one in April in which any customer who'd rescued a pet from a shelter was eligible for gift certificates.

But this summer, they had trouble with their air-conditioning system, one that forced them to do what they thought would be a temporary closure. "Coupled with ongoing issues with the City of Denton regarding our very simple remodel, Vegan Freak will be closing for a brief period of time," they said in June.

On Saturday, the owners announced that they would not be reopening, saying "Sorry -- we did try." They'll announce the specifics of their liquidation on their Facebook page sometime this week.

UPDATE: The liquidation sale will offer 50% off everything, and will take place on Tuesday, July 10 from noon to 4 p.m.

Shannon Sutlief contributed to this story.

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