Dillon Davis

Battle Creek Enquirer

GALESBURG -- PETA has offered the Galesburg Meat Co. $10,000 if it rebuilds as a vegan butcher shop after a fire that ravaged the facility earlier this month, but the company said it doesn't think that would be good for business.

The company's facility at 58 Mill St. was heavily damaged as the result of a morning fire on June 23, according to a report by the Kalamazoo Gazette. Galesburg Meat Co. has been in business in downtown Galesburg for more than 50 years.

Galesburg Meat co-owner Arlene Christian said the business "still has a lot of options to consider," though pivoting away from meat likely isn't in the cards.

"I don’t think this area is a very good market for vegan meat, but that’s my opinion," she said.

In a news release Tuesday, PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said the company is "eager to transform this business into one that offers flavorful protein-rich foods that are kind to animals, the environment and diners' arteries." Reiman's letter to the company pledges $10,000 for the rebuild if Galesburg Meat reopens as a vegan butcher shop "that rejects the cruel practice of selling slaughtered animals and instead offers healthy, cholesterol-free, plant-based alternatives."

Christian, instead, said the company plans to honor its existing orders ahead of a rebuild of the property, which is a total loss from the fire.

The company has established a GoFundMe account for $10,000, which it said will "defray costs not covered by insurance." As of Wednesday, the account has $2,575 with several donations of $200 or more.

"The support has been phenomenal," Christian said. "It is just wonderful, the people who have reached out to us with kind words. The GoFundMe page, it’s just amazing, the number of people who want to help. We are so grateful for that and it has helped us through these first days.

"It’s been traumatic and it has been wonderful to have that support."

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Contact Dillon Davis at 269-966-0698 or dwdavis@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DillonDavis