Of Course Portland Has a Vegan Cheese Shop: Vtopia Cheese Shop Settles In

It's just over a month since Portland's only all-vegan cheese shop, Vtopia Cheese Shop and Deli, opened in Goose Hollow, and owners Imber Lingard and Mark Jordan have updated its deli menu. In addition to Vtopia vegan cheeses and cheese platters, the shop now makes four types of vegan panini, including the Haym and Salami melts featuring Vtopia Melty Cheese. It also serves succotash, pasta, and creamy-basil potato salads.

Vtopia has applied for a liquor license to offer customers wine and beer—both to drink in the deli and to take home. If all goes as planned, these alcoholic beverages would join a drink menu of kombucha, lemonade, fruit juices, organic sodas, and organic teas.

The Vtopia Cheese Shop and Deli opened in early July, and it seats 14 inside and 14 outside. Lingard makes her own vegan cheeses, and flavors include macadamia and cashew camembert; dark chocolate strawberry brie; and maple-"bacon" seitan cheese balls. The deli's cheese platters feature these as well as guest vegan cheeses, and you can get the cheeses served with organic breads, crackers, compotes, tapenades, and fresh fruits.

The deli is the flagship store of Lingard and Jordan's Vtopia Artisan Cheese company. It all started in Eugene in 2013 when Lingard was working at the Cornbread Cafe vegan restaurant. When the cafe had a staff potluck, the owner fell in love with Lingard's cheeses and insisted on putting them onto the menu. Once the regulars had a taste, they wanted to order them for their graduation parties and open houses.

And from there... You get the idea. Vtopia cheeses can now be found in two countries and six states and can be ordered online.

Vtopia Cheese Shop & Deli: 1628 SW Jefferson St., 971.271.7656; Hours 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., every day of the week