Thieves trash vegan cafe with cult following

A beloved vegan cafe with a cult online following was broken into over the weekend, causing an estimated $10,000 in damages.

Plant Vibes Cafe in Bowen Hills before the break-in.

A beloved vegan cafe with a cult online following was broken into over the weekend, causing an estimated $10,000 in damages.

Plant Vibes Cafe was broken into on Saturday night with suspects stealing tablets, laptops and a safe from the business as well as unplugging all fridges and “trashing” the venue.

The owner of the cafe, Eugenie Hows, said while they were still operating at a smaller scale until damages were repaired, the loss in new customers and fresh produce was devastating.

“We’ve been struggling a little bit due to recent changes in the economy so we have been working really hard to book up the weekend,” Ms Hows said.

“We had a lot of new customers booked in today and it was our first chance to give a good first impression, to lose that is such a shame.”

Damage at the Plant Vibes Cafe in Bowen Hills.

The cafe could only offer takeaway after about $10,000 of damage was caused.

She estimated that loss in stock and a fully booked venue as well as the damage to the premises would cost the business around $10,000.

The cafes’ cult following on social media was quick to offer support Sunday morning after Ms Hows shared the news of the break-in on their instagram.

One follower, Joselinewellnessco said “if there is anything we can do, we’ll show up in numbers once you’re open if we have to. A bus load of us.”

Another follower, thelifeofcandi commented “please reach out if you guys need any volunteers! Im sure that there will be plenty of people in the community who would be happy to help to get you guys back up and running.”