Whether you’re on or off the vegan bandwagon, a trip to this specialty shop will have you eagerly jumping aboard.

Viva Vegan started as an online shop in 2007. A local family launched the initiative to support animal rights and the health advantages of eating food that doesn’t walk on all fours. Stressing their identity as a vegan establishment first (health store second), viva’s product offering is cruelty-free. Lucky for us, in 2011, they opened a physical store on St. Laurent Boulevard.

Wandering into the store you’ll think you’ve landed in a vintage-style bakery thanks, in part, to an immaculate display of carefully crafted cupcakes laid out on red and white terry tablecloth.

In addition to their freshly baked gluten and dairy-free delights, Viva Vegan offers a multitude of products that have been made without the involvement of our furry non-human counterparts. Meat alternatives (like the famous Turtle Island Foods’ Tofurky line), dairy-free foods (try the creamy Daiya cheeses) and other sweet treats (a smear of Pennoti’s organic chocolate spread, anyone?) are among the variety of vegan grub to choose from. Plus clothing and hygiene products made without the use or exploitation of animals are available.

Whether stopping in at their store on St. Laurent Boulevard or benefitting from speedy deliveries of all things vegan through their online store, Viva Vegan will have you hitching up to their meat-free, cruelty-free wagon train in no time.

You might never jump off.