PlantX is a one-stop vegan retailer that sells everything from oat milks and canned goods to all-natural soaps and air-purifying indoor plants. They carry thousands of products across 350+ brands—meaning if it's vegan, it can most likely be found in one of their stores. If not, then it’s probably being loaded on a delivery truck to be stocked on shelves later in the week. Leading up to 2021, this West Vancouver-based business was only located throughout Canada, but it will soon make its United States debut in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego.
PlantX is driven toward eliminating barriers to entry to a plant-based lifestyle. By doing so, they hope to lead people down a path to longer, happier, and healthier lives. With more than fifty locations opening across Canada this year alone, it’s safe to say they’re well on their way toward achieving this goal. They set their sights on the vibrant Hillcrest neighborhood where founder Sean Dollinger believes the tight-knit, health-conscious community will rally behind his innovative concept. Additionally, anchoring the brand in the state’s second-largest city provides the chain with the incredible opportunity to ship to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and throughout California via their online store and meal delivery services.
The 5th Avenue locale will house a coffee shop and a rotating selection of grab-and-go meals crafted by California-based chef Matthew Kenney. Shoppers can anticipate refrigerated and frozen goods as well as a designated area for all things gluten-free. Product offerings will also cater to a variety of other diets by including nut-, soy-, and sugar-free items as well as products compatible with paleo, keto, and kosher lifestyles. Many up-and-coming San Diego vegan brands will also find a home under the roof of the nearly 4,500 sq ft storefront.
Contactless shopping couldn’t be any timelier and will be encouraged through the use of QR codes. When scanned they will provide product education, allow for self-checkout, and even permit shoppers to have items shipped directly to their homes. Despite being coined the “vegan Amazon,” PlantX insists that the goal is not to mimic Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, or Amazon, but to continue scaling their brand and placing the guest’s experience and education at the forefront of operations. By doing so, PlantX hopes to become a household name under its own merit.
“I am very thankful for Hillcrest welcoming our first US PlantX store. We’ve already received so much support from the local community, and we are looking forward to giving back and enhancing the well-being of everyone in this great neighborhood. Hillcrest being the birthplace of PlantX’s physical presence in the US will truly catalyze the PlantX shopping experience, and we couldn’t be more excited to share our plant-based journey with this welcoming community,” Dollinger told VegOut.
While the company has yet to announce where the next United States-based PlantX will open, if Canada serves as a blueprint, then prepare to see them pop up countrywide before establishing a widespread international presence.
PlantX San Diego will be opening soon. Follow them on Instagram (@goplantx) for updates.
