Hub Staff

The Pea Pod, a new vegan restaurant opening this Saturday in Southampton, is more than just a restaurant and is something that’s been culminating for business partners, Doris Ross and Jennifer Maas for quite some time.

“We just wanted to bring something new to our community because we personally didn’t really have anywhere (vegan) to go if we wanted to go out and eat,” said Ross. “We’re really passionate about teaching people the amazing life you can lead.” She added, “You don’t have to be a vegan to eat a vegan meal.”

The partners have each been in Saugeen Shores for just short of a decade, and both have young children. Maas said that the kids have already been quite involved in the business. “They’re here all the time helping, dishwashing and all the little things that little children can do... it’s a very family run business.”

Even though everything on their menu will be vegan, the Pea Pod will offer the option of putting (ethically sourced, organic) milk or cream in coffee or honey in tea. “We’re not here to judge people, your way is wrong, ours is right, we just want to offer a different option,” said Ross.

Maas added, “This is an open door and anyone and everyone is welcome here.”

Ross and Maas plan on being open Wednesday through Friday 9:30 to 2:30 and Saturday 9:30 to 4 to start, but are open to changing things up once they start getting feedback from their customers. “If people want us here earlier or later we’ll have to accommodate that,” said Ross.

The Pea Pod is as much about education as it is about serving delicious, healthy food and the partners plan on hosting regular events on-site. “We’ve done a meditation event already,” said Maas. “We had a food component with that.”

She added that they’re currently working on plans for hosting an ongoing monthly event where a vegan meal is prepared, the recipe provided and attendees will have an opportunity to watch a documentary or hear a speaker.

“Just letting people take it from here and go with it, that’s the whole point,” said Maas.

The partners also plan on furnishing the front lawn with tables and chairs once the snow clears and perhaps having some live music through the summer. “We’d like to find a local artist who would like to join us,” said Maas.

While we chatted, the partners served up a delicious hot nacho dip, one of the items that will be on their menu, made from cashews, carrots, salsa, apple cider vinegar and spinach.

The Pea Pod is located in the Mercer House at 135 High Street, a location the partners decided on last November and moved into in January. Ross said, “We’ve been working on (the business) probably since last May or June,” but added that they’ve been talking about it as a dream “forever.”

Maas said, “It’s just been really slowly unfolding for us.” To which Ross added, “It’s like it was meant to be.”

There will be a fundraiser ahead of their 9:30 a.m. opening on Saturday for Big Brothers and Big Sisters from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., in which local vegan athlete, Jared Adams through Run 4 a Reason will be doing a run from the Pea Pod to the Pea Pod. “Every runner who is involved will get a juice from us... and a portion of each child’s meal or drink or snack, whatever’s purchased, will go towards the charity,” said Ross. “(Adams) believes in teaching children the benefits and importance of health and exercise and eating well.”

You can find the Pea Pod on the web at thepeapod.ca or their Facebook page.