Less than a year after introducing “regenerative meat, dairy and eggs” to its formerly all-vegan menu, Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery has announced its permanent closure.
As reported by Eater, the rebranded Sage Regenerative Kitchen will shutter its remaining locations in Echo Park and Pasadena this Sunday after 14 years in business.
Quoting manager Mollie Engelhart, the outlet reports on the restaurant’s recent struggles: from being “behind on rent and taxes” in 2023 to the closure of other locations in Southern California “to consolidate the restaurant’s customer base” the year after. Sadly enough, Engelhart and husband Elias Sosa, who comanages the brand, “sold their California home to infuse the restaurant with more money.”
Adding regenerative meat—essentially meat from farms that use environmentally-conscious practices—to the menu was yet another attempt to get more people inside the eateries and help business. Unfortunately, the effort seemingly wasn’t enough.
“It is with a heavy heart that we close the chapter on Sage,” the owners announced on Instagram on January 1. “As we reflect on the journey that began back in 2011, we remember [Mollie Engelhart] and [Elias Sosa] at the farmers’ market, gathering the freshest farm-to-table produce (long before they were a couple). Over the past 14 years, their unwavering commitment to quality food and supporting local farmers has been the heartbeat of our restaurant.”
Fans of the couple will still get to taste their wonderful dishes… when traveling to Texas, where their restaurant Barn at Sovereignty Ranch is still up and running.