Eggs now on menu at Nature Cafe Bar, Frankston to drum up business
A Frankston eatery celebrated for vibrant plant-based dishes is adding a controversial ingredient to its menu. One customer says it's the first step to war.
South East
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A beloved vegan cafe known for its vibrant smoothie bowls and plant based burgers has made a difficult choice in order to keep the doors open.
Nature Cafe/Bar at Frankston has added eggs to the menu in a bid to attract more customers.
The controversial move was announced on Monday night via social media.
“We can no longer afford to watch hundreds of customers walk out our doors because we don’t offer eggs,” the cafe posted.
Co-owner Bobby Ran said the decision had not been taken lightly.
“There aren’t enough vegan customers to survive,” he said.
A “shrinking” market for vegan only venues was making it difficult for the business to break even, he said.
“So many cafes and restaurants have vegan options now,” Mr Ran said.
The Thompson St cafe has been serving an all vegan menu – with the exception of offering cows milk with coffee – since it opened about six years ago.
The decision to start offering eggs sparked a flurry of comments on social media.
Many supported the move.
“When I walk in with a nonvegan/non-veg friend, it means we can both enjoy a brekky meal with what each of us wants ie. myself vegan, and them with eggs,” one customer posted.
“Keep up the good work.”
However, those following a strict vegan diet for ethical reasons were critical of the decision.
“I worry this may exclude and prevent a lot of vegan customers to your store,” one follower posted.
“Your cafe offered a sanctuary for those with specific dietary needs and agricultural values while still remaining relevant to the general populations flex-a-tarian lifestyle.”
Others were disappointed that the cafe was forced to bow to capitalism.
“Sad to think that we are so obsessed with the by-products of animals, that an egg could be the difference between a business surviving or it dying,” a customer posted.
Another customer had an extreme response to the move, saying it was the beginning of “all that is wrong in this world”.
“Eggs. Then meat. Then animal atrocities in billions. Then criminal housing. Then selling national forest. Then bombardment of other countries. The reason is always the same. Profit and saving businesses,” they posted.
Mr Ran said he expected some negative responses to the decision.
“A lot of those criticising us don’t appreciate how tough hospitality is,” he said.
“But that’s OK. Any publicity is good publicity,”
