Two soon-to-be-open Parkdale restaurants have filled their Queen West windows with signs proclaiming #ThisIsParkdale, #NotVegan and “This is not Vegandale” — in what appears to be a shot at the vegan business empire that sprung up in the community last year. And yet, the community’s not so sure. Over the last few days, people on social media have mused on Twitter and the restaurants’ Instagram posts that these restaurants are an arm of 5700 Inc., owned by Hellenic Vincent de Paul, who opened multiple ventures on the strip under the Vegandale umbrella — a move that angered residents who say it was an attempt to rebrand the long-standing community. But the owners for both the new restaurants and Vegandale say that’s just not the case.“It just wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever to call our brand ‘Vegandale’ and then to open or partner with non-vegan restaurants that promote animal exploitation,” said Vincent de Paul.Responding by emails through a spokesperson, Vincent de Paul said he’s not concerned about the new businesses taking a not-so-veiled shot at his own branding and his strong stand against animal cruelty. He in fact applauds their marketing strategy.Read more: Vegandale business chain commits $100,000 to Parkdale communityIs it Parkdale or Vegandale? Fight intensifies over neighbourhood’s identity‘Vegandale’ neighbourhood brings veganism to the masses “It was devised to create an anti-vegan sentiment and at the same time, gather support from Parkdale residents,” he said. “It’s worked well for them and it in no way takes away from our businesses so we really don’t have a problem with it.”Kabir Mano, one of the people behind IST Snack Bar and Parkdale Pizza, said he was taking a stand for the community.“Parkdale has been there for 140 years, and I don’t think it was cool for a company to come in and rebrand a neighb ...
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