The restaurant business is tough, no doubt, but it can be even tougher for those offering a niche menu like vegan and raw foods.

Amber Poupore, owner of Cacao Tree Cafe, is holding strong though, and is celebrating 15 years of service at the petite destination in downtown Royal Oak this fall. She's also marking a quarter-century in her career in vegan hospitality as a whole. Looking ahead to 2026, the chef and culinary educator plans to open a new restaurant, Herban Grounds, in St. Clair Shores.

See Full Page