GURNEE, Ill. - CuisineWire -- Vegan Essentials, a pioneering force in online vegan retail since the 1990s, is excited to announce its return to family ownership. VeganEssentials.com was acquired from PlantX in December 2024 by Steven and Kim Skaff, the trusted owners of Fake Meats, LLC, and is now independently owned and operated. This marks a new chapter for the beloved vegan store—now in the hands of experienced, independent owners who are deeply committed to the plant-based community.

Founded in 1997, Vegan Essentials has long been a trusted source for plant-based foods, cruelty-free products, and hard-to-find vegan staples. As one of the first online vegan retailers, it quickly earned a reputation for quality, reliability, and community connection. In 2021 the founders sold Vegan Essentials to Canadian startup Vejii Holdings, Inc. who subsequently sold the website to Canadian startup PlantX in 2022.  While these recent years brought significant changes to operations and customer experience, the new owners are focused on restoring the care, consistency, and customer trust that defined Vegan Essentials for more than two decades.

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Ryan Wilson, one of the original founders of Vegan Essentials, shared his support: "We're happy to see Vegan Essentials in the hands of Steven and Kim. Their passion and experience give us great confidence in what's ahead, and we're thrilled to know it's back in the hands of people who truly care about a plant-based lifestyle who offer exceptional service."

Dan Staackmann, founder of Upton's Naturals, a fellow Chicagoland company, added: "Steven has been a great industry partner, and we're looking forward to working with Vegan Essentials again under his leadership."

With a renewed focus on customer care, reliable service, and a curated selection of customers' plant-based favorites, Steven and Kim are already working to rebuild trust with longtime shoppers while welcoming new ones. Improvements are underway behind the scenes—from more reliable and affordable shipping to an improved customer and website experience—all with the goal of making Vegan Essentials the go-to vegan marketplace once again.

Vegan Essentials is open for business and stocked with plant-based favorites at https://veganessentials.com. For updates, follow along on social media or sign up for the store newsletter. Questions, feedback, or welcome messages can be sent to info@veganessentials.com or through the contact form on the website.