Edible Flours vegan bakery looks to grow in Vancouver

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      Paul Briggs says business is booming at Vancouver’s first vegan retail bakery. Owned by Briggs and his wife, Alli Neville, Edible Flours (2280 West Broadway) turns one year old early next week.

      “We’ve only gotten busier since we started,” Briggs told the Georgia Straight, sitting in the Kitsilano bakery in between helping customers at the end of the day. “I would say, particularly since the turn of the year, things have exceeded our expectations in terms of where we wanted to be for the business.”

      Edible Flours, which opened its doors on April 15, 2011, makes cakes, cookies, cookie sandwiches, croissants, cupcakes, donuts, loaves, muffins, and scones. All of its products are vegan—meaning they don’t contain dairy, eggs, honey, or other animal products—and made with natural ingredients. Much of its goods are also gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, and sugar-free.

      Over the past year, the bakery has added cinnamon rolls and more varieties of cookies and cupcakes to its offerings. The mocha loaf is the shop’s newest addition, and the banana bread is its best-selling item.

      According to Briggs, specialty cakes are the side of the business that’s grown the most. Edible Flours makes chocolate, lemon, and vanilla cakes to order for birthdays, weddings, and other occasions. Now, they’re planning to carry ready-to-go cakes in the shop.

      “I think that’s been the most pleasing aspect—that we can offer something that’s not available,” Briggs said. “It’s very hard at the drop of a hat to get a vegan, gluten-free cake that’s pistachio-flavoured or whatever it is.”

      While Edible Flours is a 100-percent vegan establishment, Briggs noted many of the bakery’s customers are omnivores.

      “The reason we picked this location was to try and appeal to everybody, to show that vegan baking can be healthy and tasty and decadent and luxurious, if you need it to be,” Briggs said.

      A few months ago, Karmavore Vegan Shop (610 Columbia Street) in New Westminster started selling Edible Flours products. Briggs is hoping to expand the wholesaling side of the business and provide goods to coffee shops around Vancouver. He’s also looking to offer a larger selection of goods at the bakery itself.

      For Edible Flours’ first anniversary, Briggs is thinking about holding a party at the shop on an undetermined date. On April 28 at 4 p.m., he is slated to give a talk and demonstration about vegan and gluten-free baking at Whole Foods Market's Cambie store (510 West 8th Avenue).

      Briggs called Edible Flours his “proudest achievement” and said he’s “thrilled” about its success.

      “If you’d said to me five years ago I’d be a vegan baker in Vancouver, I would have told you that you were crazy,” Briggs said.

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      Comments

      9 Comments

      SS

      Apr 12, 2012 at 2:50pm

      I LOVE EDIBLE FLOURS

      Isla Kay

      Apr 12, 2012 at 3:22pm

      Thanks for reminding me to go back! Delicious <3

      Mimi

      Apr 12, 2012 at 6:44pm

      Fantastic!! Moving to vancouver and this will be one of my first stops!

      canali

      Apr 13, 2012 at 6:23am

      sounds interesting, though i'm not a vegan....love the creativity

      as the late, great entrepreneur (''honest eds'' of toronto) ed mirvisch once said on success (and this shop seems to have nailed it), ''fill a need...keep it simple...and go against the grain''

      You're kidding, right

      Apr 13, 2012 at 3:42pm

      Ok, will have to go back.

      I walked in once, but found the display underwhelming---not enough product and not enough difference between textures, colour.

      The display still looks a little "skimpy' from these photos. And good display really does get the tastebuds and spending buds going. See Thomas Haas and Faubourg.

      Kim

      Apr 20, 2012 at 9:12am

      Disappointing shop. Was excited when I saw the sign go up and my experiences going in have turned me off. Uninspired looking treats and decor.

      Sadie Johnston

      Apr 23, 2012 at 11:07am

      A big disappointment - why are they getting such good reviews?!? The concept is great but sadly Edible Flours falls short on so many levels. To be a little more constructive, there is a problem with the product, there is not enough of it and it doesn't taste as good as it looks. I planned on staying but ended up taking mine to go, a bakery should feel welcoming, and the staff should be inviting. I did not feel it.

      Tyler

      Apr 24, 2012 at 6:45am

      Love this bakery! The Cinnamon buns are incredible and when I feel like an indulgence I go straight for the double stuffed cookies. Lookign forward to trying their cakes when day for a special occasion. A great additon to my neighborhood for sure.

      Derek

      Jun 16, 2012 at 10:32pm

      Awesome place. Love the clean modern decor and delicious treats. Display looks skimpy as they consistently sell out each day of the goods....says it all right there. Gluten Free Banana Bread is as good as I have had.