Small-batch artisan food shop The Epicurean Trader is expanding to Hayes Valley. The store plans to open in the former Photograph & Frame space at 465 Hayes St. (at Octavia) at the beginning of June, owner Holly McDell tells us.
Epicurean Trader's Hayes Valley outpost will be its third location, following Bernal Heights (401 Cortland Ave.) and Cow Hollow (1909A Union St.). The new location will be "50% bigger than our existing stores," McDell said, but with a similar look to the two existing spaces.
With plans for a full-service grocery at Fulton and Laguna streets officially dead in the water, McDell hopes to partially address Hayes Valley's "lack of grocery stores" with a selection of seasonal produce, farmstead cheese, charcuterie and daily fresh bread and pastries from Tartine Bakery.
Other items on offer will include handcrafted chocolates, spices and pantry items like bone broth. Many items are sourced from local businesses, such as Bi-Rite Creamery ice cream, Craftsman and Wolves pastries and Dandelion Chocolate. Wine and craft spirits will also be available.
McDell, who's been working on the space since January, says she's already gotten a lot of feedback from the "30 people a day [who] stop in here" asking what's going on.
Based on that feedback, she's decided to add a to-go coffee bar at the entrance of the store, with Four Barrel beans, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, chia pudding and kombucha on tap. For the lunch crowd, there will be a selection of panini, European-style baguettes, salads, and grab-and-go cheese plates, as well as gluten-free and vegan options from Green Heart Foods.
"Grab-and-go is what Hayes Valley residents wanted," she said.
"We are hoping to be a place where people can do their weekly [grocery] shopping," she said, adding that she's also excited about the store's proximity for picnickers headed to Patricia's Green.
When it debuts in June, Epicurean Trader's Hayes Valley outpost will be open Sunday-Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
