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JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Frank and Cindy Mattson tried all three breakfast entrees Monday at Vida Verde, a new plant-based takeout restaurant in downtown Johnstown.

“Man, I loved it,” Frank Mattson said. “The food is healthy, it tastes good and the price is good. It’s a win-win-win.”

Vida Verde opened Monday at 139 Franklin St., across from Central Park.

“It’s so nice to have a healthy place in Johnstown to eat,” Mattson said. “There aren’t many places where you can go out to eat and not have a guilty conscience.”

Serving breakfast platters, burritos and sandwich wraps for breakfast and a variety of salad bowls and sandwiches for lunch, Vida Verde is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Owner Luis Hernandez said he’s starting with a small menu and plans for the business to grow slowly. He operates the restaurant with his wife, Marisol, and their daughter, Micaela.

“We believe in what we are providing,” he said. “We want to give people an option to eat healthier.”

The city’s Economic Development department worked closely with the Hernandez family through the startup process, connecting them with local resources and collaborating with Johnstown Area Regional Industries and the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority to support business planning and secure a location for the restaurant, city Economic Development Coordinator Jenna Cramer said.

“We first met Luis about a year and a half ago, and I was immediately impressed by his story, his knowledge of plant-based ingredients, and his thoughtful approach to improving health through diet,” she said. “It was clear that his vision and dedication could introduce an innovative and much-needed addition to our city and region.”

Hernandez said his journey to adopting a plant-based diet is a personal one.

“Cancer runs in the family,” he said.

About six years ago, he had a health scare that could have turned to cancer, too, he said.

“My wife and daughter suggested I visit a holistic treatment center, so that’s where my journey began in eating more plant-based foods,” he said.

Hernandez credits adopting a plant-based diet with helping thwart illness and lending him more energy and clarity of mind. Marisol and Micaela Hernandez also live a plant-based lifestyle and assist with operating the restaurant.

Eliminating meat and dairy from his diet wasn’t easy, Hernandez said.

“I’m from Philadelphia. I was raised on cheesesteaks, hoagies and stromboli,” he said.

And the plant-based food he was introduced to didn’t taste good to him, he said.

“We started trying different recipes, and it got to a point where we love the food,” he said. “I’ve cooked for church events, and it’s something we’d like to bring to Johnstown because we believe in it, and we want to offer it to people if they want to eat healthier. We saw the change it made in our lives.”

Hernandez started changing his diet while living in Philadelphia and working as a cleaning crew supervisor in the Center City district.

“I’d eat the food that was quick,” he said. “I lived on donuts and coffee, but my transition in Philadelphia was easy because there are a lot of plant-based restaurants in town.”

However, seeing their neighborhood affected by gun violence led them to the decision to move away from Philadelphia. The family initially sought to make a new home near friends in Maine, Nebraska or Arkansas, but closing on a home in a rural area during the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge.

“Every time we put in a bid, property was being bought up like crazy,” he said. “We couldn’t find a spot. Then, in looking online – I’ve never heard of Johnstown, but it popped up. It was affordable and we found a home we could buy outright. We love Johnstown. We are happy here.”

The family found few plant-based restaurant options in town, so they decided to open Vida Verde.

With help from City Hall, the Hernandez family explored multiple potential locations, but they found the right spot when the Lambcakes bakery relocated to the corner of Franklin and Locust streets and vacated its former location at 139 Franklin St.

Cramer said Vida Verde’s plant-based menu introduces an exciting new dining option to downtown Johnstown and “fills a growing demand for healthy and sustainable food choices.”

“This aligns with our ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown by attracting businesses that add to the community’s diversity,” she said. “Vida Verde is a symbol of Johnstown’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and embracing innovative ideas that enhance quality of life in our community.”

Hernandez said he hopes to make a small impact on the town’s revitalization in addition to helping people become healthier.

“We hope to see more businesses come in and people come downtown,” he said. “We are glad to be part of it.”

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