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Devoshion, a new vegan store in Lake Grove’s Smith Haven Mall that features Long Island’s first vegan candy boutique, hosted its grand opening today.
Devoshion features vegan, handmade goods by crafters from Long Island. It’s also a venue for comedy shows, live music, DIY workshops, yoga classes, and other activities, as well vegan treats and locally brewed craft beer.
A collaboration artist Mor Schwartz and businessman Jason McKee, Devoshion inventory is exclusively vegan and cruelty-free. Proceeds of select items, including sloth, kangaroo and capybara plushies, are donated to Humane Long Island to assist in animal rescues. It’s located across from Dick’s Sporting Goods and Cheesecake Factory.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the owners were joined by Barbara Franco, executive director of the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce; Jennifer Scully of Vegan Home New York; and John and Juliana Di Leonardo of Humane Long Island.
As part of its grand opening celebration, all proceeds derived from select plushies sales and a portion of all vegan candy sales from Feb. 1 until Valentine’s Day will benefit Humane Long Island.
“Humane Long Island is thrilled to offer plush sloths, kangaroos and capybaras at Devoshion’s new cruelty-free, vegan store at the Smith Haven Mall just in time for Valentine’s Day!” said John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and executive director of Humane Long Island.
“Buy your plushies and vegan candy at Devoshion ahead of the holiday and show your lover that you don’t just love them but that you love animals too.”
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Schwartz encouraged local vegan artists to contact the store if they are interested in vending.
“I am honored to celebrate our grand opening and support local artisans and charity alongside Humane Long Island and the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce”, he said.
Vegan Home New York is the vendor operating Devoshion’s vegan candy boutique and vegan luxury bag store.
“I’m so proud and honored to be able to offer chocolate and candy that not only supports fair wages and human rights but also animal welfare” Vegan Home New York owner Jenn Scully said. “There’s no reason for something as innocent as candy to harm animals. Cruelty-free, vegan, organic options are just as delicious.”
At the grand opening, visitors were able to try vegan candy samples, take free photos with Humane Long Island’s “Sammi the Sloth” Mascot, receive free coloring books, and take a crack at a rubber duck claw machine.
Top photo: The front of Devoshion at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove (Source: Humane Long Island).
