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Vegan Eatery Karyn's Leaving Lincoln Park For Bucktown, Owner Says

By Mina Bloom | August 29, 2016 7:24pm | Updated on August 29, 2016 7:25pm
 Karyn's, 1901 N. Halsted St.
Karyn's, 1901 N. Halsted St.
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DNAinfo/Mina Bloom

LINCOLN PARK — The owner of Karyn's, a vegan restaurant chain credited with starting the raw food craze in Chicago, is closing her longtime flagship location in Lincoln Park, according to an email newsletter sent to customers late Monday.

But it's not the end for the popular vegan eatery. 

In the email, owner Karyn Calabrese said she's planning to reopen in Bucktown. The new address is unknown. Calabrese couldn't be immediately reached for comment late Monday.

The flagship location, 1910 N. Halsted St., will close sometime in November after 17 years of business, according to the email.

The closure is the latest in the "fall" of Calabrese's raw food empire, which was outlined by Crain's.

Calabrese was forced to close two other Karyn's locations, and then launched a controversial GoFundMe campaign seeking $300,000 in donations to save the flagship restaurant.

As of Monday evening, Calabrese had raised $7,413.

The "vegan queen" is also facing multiple lawsuits, including one asking for $112,000 in back rent and damages, according to the food blog Eater.

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