Castro specialty market The Epicurean Trader has opened at 2238 Market Street, just in time for Pride weekend.
Epicurean Trader's opening comes nearly two years since Hoodline broke the news about the store opening a Castro location.
Castro residents and visitors can now stop in to pick up a variety of hand-selected wines, spirits, specialty condiments, chocolates, cheeses, gifts, and more.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be open," said Epicurean Trader owner Mat Pond. "It’s been a long journey that we feel now that it’s open, has been well worth it."
The Epicurean Trader softly opened today at 2238 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Epicurean Trader currently has five locations in San Francisco — Bernal Heights, Castro, Cow Hollow, Hayes Valley, and the Ferry Building.
The new store has opened in one of two ground-floor retail spaces at the residential condo building 2238 Market (a.k.a. the development on the former Sullivan's Funeral Home property that broke ground in 2019).
Pond tells Hoodline that the store softly opened on Friday and will be open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. beginning Saturday, June 29.
Craft spirits selection at The Epicurean Trader. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
The store is split into a few sections with the market side focusing on "small batch producers from across the globe," said Pond. "Craft spirits, craft beer, wine and cheese, along with freshly baked bread are usually best selling categories."
In the cafe area, espresso drinks, smoothies pastries, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches will be served in the morning.
For lunch, customers can purchase paninis, baguette sandwiches, empanadas, and salads. Tapas-styles bites will be available in the evenings with cheese platters, spritz cocktails, and wine.
The Epicurean Trader's cafe area with seating. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Customers can enjoy their food and drink items inside or outside in Epicurean Trader's newly built parklet.
Epicurean Trader also offers a selection of giftware, cards, and freshly made flower bouquets.
Giftware selection at The Epicurean Trader. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Free delivery is available for purchases over $50 with TET Delivery (The Epicurean Trader Delivery).
Pond tells Hoodline that the delay in opening was caused in part by " the city planning department as well as the building developer wanting the apartments completed and largely sold before we started construction."
The Epicurean Trader's parklet along Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Epicurean Trader's opening continues a wave of positive news in the Market, Noe, and 16th streets area.
Earlier this month restaurant and bar Bar 49 opened in the former Bagdad Café space. Additional openings include seafood restaurant Fisch & Flore, Mexican restaurant Tacos El Tucán, and French restaurant Catch French Bistro.
