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SYDNEY, N.S. —

A Sydney restaurant is changing the local food scene with meals offering flavour without any meat or animal by-products.

James MacDonald and Joseph Matheson were both building up their own vegan businesses before deciding to team up.

JJ’s Plant Based Eats is expected to launch at the Prince Street market in early March.

The new restaurant's menu will offer fresh takes on classic items such as donairs.

MacDonald launched Neat & Potatoes last January after his passion for food overtook his interest in a career in finance.

He launched with a food delivery service and in September evolved his business into a Saturday farmer’s market stall.

The 31-year-old who grew up in Sydney River credits a Netflix documentary for turning both he and his fiancée into vegans nearly three years ago.

“Prior to making the switch, I was the biggest carnivore on the planet,” he said.

“(Anything) that would have meat in it, cheese in it — cheese stuffed inside of meat stuffed inside of other cheese… and then fried or baked or whatever.”

What began as a weeklong trial morphed into the realization that MacDonald and his then-girlfriend felt energized by their new diet.

“There’s a million and one different right reasons to be eating this way, and I think people get there on their own time,” MacDonald said.

Just the facts

What: JJ's Plant Based Eats

Where: 54 Prince St. (inside the Prince Street market)

When: Soft-opening planned for March 2; Regular days will be Monday to Saturday

Who: Owned by James MacDonald and Joseph Matheson

Food: Beginning with a small, focused vegan menu.

A self-professed steak lover, Matheson, 32, became vegan after encountering difficulty swallowing as the result of an immune-system disease known as eosinophilic esophagitis.

Although he originally gave up dairy and other triggers, it wasn’t until Matheson gave up meat that he saw a significant health improvement.

“You can eat plant-based and get all the nutrients you need, plus more,” he said. “You can live a healthier lifestyle by living his way.”

Matheson, who grew up in Glace Bay but now lives in Louisbourg, said he started working in kitchens out of high school, and later studied plant-science technology.

For the past five years, Matheson has been cooking non-stop. His resumé includes places such as Selkie’s Neighbourhood Diner and the Keltic Lodge.

When Selkie’s moved out of the 54 Prince St. location in October, Club 55 offered Matheson their kitchen for a predominately Wednesday-hosted vegan pop-up.

Matheson started hosting monthly vegan dinners under the name River Filly Plant Based Eats in September 2018 at the same space where he and MacDonald are now opening a restaurant.

The pair is currently renovating the former Selkie's space located next to Doktor Luke’s.

“You can eat plant-based and get all the nutrients you need, plus more."

Starting out, JJ’s will be focused on a smaller, focused menu giving customers breakfast, brunch and lunch options, along with a "to-go" counter from Monday to Saturdays beginning at 8 a.m.

The men say they plan are to expand their new business with suppertime meals in the future.

MacDonald said in early December he reached out to Matheson, a married father of soon-to-be four children, asking if the pair should combine their skill and interest into one business.

“We were the vegan food vendors, so Joey was coming down to us to have some food and chat that type of thing,” said MacDonald

“Our relationship kind of continued through there. I felt comfortable enough to approach him about the possibility of joining forces."

Welcome to the official page of JJ's Plant Based Eats! We are proud to be Cape Breton's first fully plant based... Posted by JJ's Plant Based Eats on Thursday, February 13, 2020

Matheson said he immediately jumped at the idea, having dreamed up such a partnership in the past.

“It’s better in numbers,” said Matheson. “We can give the customers something way more with the both of us doing it.

“The want is there. We know it is. We’re very confident in what we’re going to be able to provide here.”

The two men say there has been a lot of interest surrounding plant-based diets in recent years thanks to endorsements from fitness trainers, celebrities and top athletes.

But have no fear, they said they don't judge folks who wish to fill up on vegan donairs one day and switch back over to pepperoni pizza the next.

“We’re not going to be pushing that on anybody for sure,” said MacDonald. “We’ve a friendly place.”

The men say plans for a restaurant moved along rather quickly. They are now planning a soft-opening date for March 2.

For more information on the business, visit JJ’s Plant Based Eats on Facebook.

erin.pottie@cbpost.com