Annie O. Love brings creativity, warmth, and a sense of divine purpose to everything she touches in Charleston. Her guest spot with “Mr.” Big Ben Kennedy on “Snackin’ & Yakkin’” brims with personal stories, laughter, and powerful takeaways about food, recovery, and living joyfully. What follows is a look inside Annie’s journey, her beloved Cafe of Sweet Abundance, and the mindset that fuels her impact.

Meet Annie O: Charleston’s Vegan Cookie Queen

Annie O (also known as Annie O Love) is not your average cafe owner. She launched the Cafe of Sweet Abundance, a vegan haven nestled in Charleston, after years spent working in some of the city’s best-known kitchens. Annie’s energy and heart inspired Big Ben to dig deep, and by the end of the episode, both host and audience are left rethinking what it means to live abundantly. For more fun episodes, find “Snackin’ & Yakkin’” on YouTube and read more about Annie’s story on her Instagram.

From Teen Chef to Plant-Based Visionary

Annie’s story starts with her first restaurant gig at 15 and carries through Charleston landmarks like Fat Hen and Juanita Greenberg’s. Working in kitchens exposed her to the realities of food, both good and bad—including the tough culture around alcohol and drugs in food and beverage. In 2013, Annie made the decision to get sober, sparking a journey into plant-based cooking and greater self-awareness. For Annie, veganism was a process: first sugar, then processed foods, followed by gluten, dairy, and finally, all animal products.

Opening Sweet Abundance—Just Before the Storm

With courage and optimism, Annie opened the Cafe of Sweet Abundance in February 2020, just three weeks before the world changed with COVID-19. The timing was uniquely hard, yet Annie sees it as a gift in disguise. “The pandemic not only saved my business but it saved my life because it slowed me down… taught me to enjoy every single step.” Her shop’s whimsical, chocolate-dripped exterior is hard to miss and brimming with heart.

Anahhata Yoga Studio: Yoga for the Heart

Building on her commitment to wellness, Annie opened Anahhata Yoga right next door. The studio focuses on the heart chakra—a physical and emotional centerpoint. This step felt natural for Annie, whose own healing journey included movement, mindfulness, and building supportive community.

Betting on Vegan Food in a Rapidly Changing Charleston

Charleston’s food scene changes quickly, with new restaurants arriving and disappearing. Annie’s shop has outlasted many, marking five and a half years at the same location—no small feat. Vegan dining remains niche in Charleston, with few true sit-down options. The Sweet Abundance Cafe and the now-closed Gnome Cafe stood out as pioneers in the plant-based space.

Charleston Vegan Spots Mentioned:

  • Cafe of Sweet Abundance (Annie O)
  • Gnome Cafe (now closed)

Cookies That Started at Farmers Markets

Before the cafe, Annie sold her cookies, granolas, and vegan cheesecakes at farmers markets for three and a half years. The growing demand led to national shipping—though buttercream-stuffed cookies remain pickup-only to keep them fresh.

Meet the Famous Cookies

Each of Annie’s cookies tells a story, blending fun ingredients with creativity. Here are a few highlighted on the show:

  • Dream Big: Chocolate chip cookie with a golden, housemade Oreo inside (buckwheat, quinoa, and gold dust).
  • Sweet & Salty Assassin: Peanut butter, white chocolate, potato chips, dipped in chocolate. Inspired during yoga meditation.
  • Life-Changing Chocolate Chip: Loaded with vanilla and granola, crisp yet chewy.
  • Oatmeal Cream Pie: A top seller—classic nostalgia, fully plant-based.
  • This Shizz is Bananas: Banana bread cookie with banana cheesecake and coconut drizzle, a favorite of Annie’s, layered atop housemade graham cracker.

All these treats draw on a divine spark of inspiration, with some flavors arriving fully-formed during moments of calm and mindfulness.

Kombucha: The Perfect Pairing

Local kombucha (fermented tea) is a key player at Sweet Abundance. Annie loves its beneficial for gut health qualities and shares a peach-mint blend on the show, describing it as refreshing and a little vinegary, with a bright note from the mint.

How Yoga and Veganism Intersect

Yoga entered Annie’s life two years ago, soon blossoming into full-time teaching and a new studio. Both practices—yoga and veganism—fuel her mindfulness, help her process life, and offer a sense of connection to the body, spirit, and community. Movement became a route to clear thinking on her path away from addiction and into wellness.

Gratitude, Mindfulness, and Living for Today

Annie believes that every step of the journey—good, bad, or messy—matters. She highlights the divine magic of gratitude and savoring each moment, even the challenging ones.

“The little things make up the big things… what you appreciate, appreciates.”

Learning to slow down, let go of perfection, and remember the why behind her work helped Annie find peace and joy in her businesses.

Turning Struggle into Something Beautiful

Annie’s openness about her struggles with addiction and the pressure-cooker environment of restaurant life is a key part of her story. Choosing sobriety unlocked purpose and connection, leading her to nourish her community in new ways.

Supporting Local, Building Community

The Sweet Abundance space reflects local love—murals by Charleston artists, a focus on local kombucha, and constant involvement with other creatives. Annie’s doors (and heart) are open to her neighbors and friends, building a truly special spot.

Finding Balance and Self-Care

Running a restaurant, yoga studio, and her own life means Annie O values time away too. She retreats to a mountain Airbnb monthly to rest and reset, showing that caring for yourself really does fuel your ability to serve others.

Manifesting Big Dreams and Growing

Annie is always dreaming big. Her plans include expanding the bakery, maybe even a vegan pizza restaurant. She believes everyone is here for something important—even if your path isn’t what you first expected.

Charleston: A City in Flux

Both Annie and Ben reflect that as Charleston grows, maintaining the city’s creative, friendly vibe can be tough. Annie takes pride in her deep roots on James Island and continues to create spaces that feel welcoming and real.

Real Life, Tattoos, and Family Connections

Throughout the episode, stories flow about tattoos, family, astrology, and the winding road that brings people together. Annie’s approach is authentic and personal—a reminder that the best lives are made up of small, real moments.

Self-Care Comes First

One of Annie’s strongest messages is that you have to take care of yourself before you can truly help others. Shift your energy inwards, cultivate gratitude, and let everything else fall into place.

You’re the only you that we’ve got—take care of it.

How to Support Annie O and Sweet Abundance

Fans can follow Annie and her divine cookies on Instagram or Annie O Love’s official site. Order cookies nationwide or stop by in person if you visit Charleston.

Catch More Snackin’ & Yakkin’—And Join the Patreon

;For more feel-good food stories, bonus podcasts, and local fun, check out Snackin’ & Yakkin’ on Spotify, and consider joining their Patreon for extra behind-the-scenes perks.

Final Thoughts: Savor Today and Dream Big

Annie O’s story is a reminder to pursue your passion, live with gratitude, and not take life too seriously. The path to wellness and joy is personal, but no matter where you start, small steps and a bit of divine inspiration can take you far. Have a favorite vegan snack or local Charleston story? Share it below—let’s keep the conversation sweet.

Follow, support, and tag your snack-loving friends—and remember, life is better when you savor every bite.

Keep checking out new episodes on the blog!