Owner Raising Funds to Keep Vegan Cheese Shop Afloat

On December 20, new owner of Portland, OR’s all-vegan cheese shop Mathew Gauvin Vtopia Cheese Shop & Deli launched a crowdfunding campaign to keep the business open. The shop was first opened by Mark Jordan and Imber Lingard in 2015 and Gauvin quit his job in information technology to take over the shop last July. “The upfront cost of ownership was much more than I had expected,” Gauvin said, “and I need your help to keep this local Portland vegan landmark here.” Gauvin is asking for $15,000 in his GoFundMe campaign (funds raised will be used to provide operating capital). Vtopia serves nut-based cheese (in varieties such as camembert, brie, and cheese balls), cheese platters, grilled cheese sandwiches, and salads.