West Newton landmark the Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q has announced plans to go vegan starting Friday.  Owner Ron Stoloff says the decision has nothing to do with pressure from animal rights groups, health concerns about the consumption of too-much-meat or even environmental concerns that raising livestock uses too many of the of the planet’s natural resources.

“Businesses have to continuously reinvent themselves to stay relevant and grow their customer base,” Stoloff said. The new Blue Ribbon menu, will continue to rely on their famous Carolina barbecue sauces only served over tofu, portobello mushroom burgers, tempeh and a chickpea mush that Stoloff says “you  may not like the first six or seven times you try it, but you’ll get used to.”