Western Sydney’s go to shop for all things vegan is now open for business

A NEW type of specialty store has arrived in Kellyville and has made a lot of local vegans very happy.

Kellyville's first vegan shop, All About Empathy Vegan Shop. Pictured is Kanti G. Varsani with his wife Byra.

A NEW type of specialty store has arrived in Kellyville and has made a lot of local vegans very happy.

All About Empathy Vegan near the Post Office and could easily be mistaken for a newsagency, as it also sells Lotto tickets.

However, delve deeper into the shop to find a whole array of products specifically produced for vegans and people who have all sorts of intolerances.

The store’s range includes organic beauty products, probiotic ice creams, cheese, deodorant, shampoo, an extensive range of gluten free products and organic pet foods.

Family owned, the shop has only been open for five months and is slowly getting the reputation as western Sydney’s go to shop for all things vegan.

Owner Kanti G Varsani runs the store with help from his wife Byra, son, Jayan, 23, and daughter Riana, 20.

Originally from the UK, the Varsani family came to Australia eight years ago for job opportunities for their children and the sense of freedom they get from the Aussie way of life.

“I was an engineer until I hurt my back and my wife worked in childcare,” Mr Varsani said. “We have always been very health conscious and we believe veganism isn’t just about diet, it is also about having a spiritual connection and compassion.

“I believe we should not harm any living thing.”

However, when Mr Varsani bought the Widsor Rd shop it was the area’s former newsagency and locals had become reliant on it to sell lottery tickets and other items. So the Varsanis kept that part of the business but transformed the back end of the shop into a vegans paradise.

“It is very early days for us, but the feedback we have had from customers has been very positive,’’ Mr Varsani said.

“In the past we have had to travel to Newtown or the eastern suburbs for our food and now we have brought a new vegan shop to the area.”