Cindysnacks Vegan Market Launches In Huntington, Plans To Evolve

HUNTINGTON, NY — Cindysnacks, which provides vegan goods in a market setting, opened in Huntington on Aug. 17 with hopes of serving the entire Long Island north shore.

John Stengel, 32, and his girlfriend, Indiana "Cindy" Kay, 29, both vegans, are 50-50 store partners who came up with the idea together. Once the space at 210 Wall St. became available, the couple pounced on it. It's a store by vegans, for vegans, though anybody willing to try the food is welcome.

"We thought we could give back to the community by giving people a place where they could shop and not be judged for what they’re consuming or buying," Stengel told Patch. "It’s a very judgment-free zone in here. We wanted to give vegans a place where they could shop and not have to check labels, knowing everything is vegan, and have a fun experience knowing they’re in a safe place."

Stengel and Kay started dating five years ago, back when Stengel ate meat and fast food. Kay, who has been vegan for a long time, wouldn't let Stengel bring any non-vegan products into the home they ended up moving in together.

Instead, she began cooking and baking for Stengel. He would be treated to items like cakes, cookies and other confectionaries.

"That’s where the nickname Cindysnacks came from: her making me all this delicious stuff trying to get me to turn vegan, and it ended up working," he said. "She’s a very good baker, and her vegan food is out of this world."

Stengel has now been vegan for four years. The idea for their store was born out of the passion they shared for a vegan lifestyle.

The store includes several shelves, a freezer and a refrigerated section. Products include pretzel buns, boxed cookies, chips, cereal, pasta, mac and cheese, hot sauce, condiments, taco shells, candy, burritos, drinks and more.

Stengel listed a few best-sellers that he says have been flying off the shelves: meat-free meats and cheese-free cheeses from The Herbivorous Butcher, a Minneapolis-based purveyor of vegan items, ice creams by Oat-Ly in flavors like vanilla, oat and strawberry, fig salami in multiple flavors, and handcrafted chocolates by Lagusta's Luscious, a woman-owned New Paltz business.

While Cindysnacks is currently just a vegan market, Stengel noted there are plans for evolution into a bakery and deli as well, but it will come in phases.

The store plans on carrying grab-and-go items within the next month. Cookies are already sold, but there are plans for donuts and cakes.

The deli is still a ways away, as there is no timetable on when the kitchen-space planned for the back of the store will be constructed. But when it is ready, Stengel said Cindysnacks will serve breakfast and lunch sandwiches, as well as coffee. Egg sandwiches, BLTs, chicken cordon bleu, meatball heroes, all with a vegan twist, will be some of the options.

"We’d like to mimic a traditional Long Island deli and keep that comfort food as an element of our food," Stengel said.

Overall, Stengel said being able to have launched this business venture with his girlfriend has been a rewarding experience. He added that it's been a pleasure to meet the vegan community and wanted to give them a shout out.

"The support we’ve gotten has been unmatched, and it’s been really great. So, thank you to everyone who’s been coming in. We really appreciate it."

Cindysnacks is currently open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., though the hours and days might be slightly adjusted a month or two down the line.

Best-Selling Product Photos

All photos by Michael DeSantis/Patch