Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe Atlanta, GA

Atlanta might not have a fancy vegan mini mall like Portland but we do have Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe (which has the strength of 10 mini malls!)

Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe is a storefront owned by vegans with 100 percent vegan goods so you don't have to go through the infamous label scan for whey, gelatin, albumin and all the other animal derivatives that are hidden deep within the labyrinth of the ingredient list on the back of nearly everything you buy.

What makes Cosmo's truly special is that they offer many items that are usually only available online. This probably has something to do with the fact that they also have a virtual store front online that carries nearly everything in the store. So if you're not in Atlanta check out http://www.cosmosveganshoppe.com/

I have a routine when I enter the store. Say hi to Leigh (one of the owners) who is usually at the register when I walk in, then walk straight back and to the right to the freezer and refrigerated foods section. There you will find vegan twinkies, fauxtess cupcakes, vegan donuts in multiple flavors, pizza, vegan orange chicken and even vegan shrimp! Their refrigerator holds all the reigning crown jewels of vegan cheese: sheese (block cheese and cream cheese), cheezly (in white cheddar and mozzarella) and the brand new mozzarella teese (reviews on teese coming soon). As you are checking out you'll also see a little table of baked goods courtesy of Atlanta's own Dulce Vegan bakers. Their cinnamon rolls and cupcakes are to die for but that's a topic that is worthy of its own post so more on Dulce Vegan later.

If you're an avid reader of this blog then you know that cheezly and I are entrenched in a torrid love affair that has no signs of stopping anytime soon. Cosmo's has cemented this bond by adding two new flavors of cheezly to their arsenal, cheddar with "bacon" and garlic and herb. To my knowledge Cosmo's will be the only one in the U.S. who currently carries these new flavors.

As much as I love food, Cosmos isn't just a one trick pony. They carry clothing (usually in the form of vegan t-shirts), mens and womens footwear, purses, bags, wallets, vegan inspired dishes, cat food, dog food, supplements, books, cookbooks, and a variety of other health and beauty products. They even carry vegan lube and condoms.

What I really love the most about cosmos is its "mom and pop" feel. Its not a big corporate giant with some wizard behind the curtain calling all the shots. Its a husband and wife team bringing vegan into the mainstream. If you're looking around Cosmo's and notice that they don't carry something you want, just ask and they will be happy to stock it for you. I requested they order one of my favorite natural deodorant's from them and they had it in stock within two days.
Before you head to whole foods, or Publix or even Sevananda I encourage you to start your shopping at Cosmo's you'll most likely find that (outside of fresh fruits and vegetables) you won't need to go anywhere else.

UPDATE: As of April 1, 2009 Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe has moved. They are now located at 200 North Cobb Parkway, Building 100 Suite 126, Marietta, GA 30062. If you live in our around the Atlanta area you can still stop by and shop at their new hours of Monday-Friday 12-4 and Saturday 12-6.