Ever since gay District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio organized a successful night market in the Sunset last year, other neighborhoods have been getting in on the action. The latest possibility would see one in the Castro LGBTQ neighborhood, merchants learned Thursday.
Night markets are held regularly in Chinatown and the Richmond district, and Engardio is planning another two in his district, on Irving Street between 19th and 26th avenues on August 30 and September 27.
The Castro Merchants Association leadership is trying to find out if it's possible to host a night market in the neighborhood, according to the group's president.
The potential night market, crime in the neighborhood, a 2026 temporary F-line closure, and a Castro Street vacancy were among the topics discussed at the association's August 1 meeting, returning from a post-Pride recess in July.
Terry Asten Bennett, a straight ally who is the association's president, said that the merchants are "currently in discussions with the city, the MTA [the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency], and the Civic Joy Fund about starting a Castro night market."
"Fingers crossed," she said, laying out a vision for a six-times-a-year, food truck-centric night market on 18th Street.
"Eighteenth Street is the street that has made the most sense for an outdoor, sober event," she added. "People associate night markets with food. It's all very, very early, but just as a heads up, we are working toward that."
The Civic Joy Fund seeks to revitalize San Francisco post-COVID. It was co-founded by Manny Yekutiel, a gay man who is proprietor of an eponymous cafe and events space in the Mission neighborhood.
Civic Joy Fund has already funded a number of events in and around the Castro, including a reinvigorated Halloween last October, a December weekend of pop-up sidewalk drag performances, and a glow-in-the-dark party over Memorial Day weekend.
Civic Joy Fund has also helped establish popular night markets in the Chinatown and Richmond neighborhoods. The Sunset neighborhood had kicked-off the night market craze last year, with a major boost from Engardio.
Engardio stated to the B.A.R. that "more than 10,000 people showed up to the first-ever Sunset night market last fall. They were 10,000 antidotes to San Francisco's 'doom loop narrative,'" referring to the negatively reinforced economic downturn that some day is aided by stories showcasing the decline of San Francisco's downtown core.
"The Sunset night market showed what was possible and now there are night markets in neighborhoods throughout San Francisco," Engardio continued. "Visit them all."
Engardio also talked up a "beach party edition" on the Great Highway at Taraval September 21.
Yekutiel told the B.A.R. that while Civic Joy Fund was not involved in the initial Sunset night market, it is helping with current efforts.
Yekutiel stressed to the B.A.R. that while "Civic Joy Fund is trying to make San Francisco the night market city," the group will only move forward if merchants and residents are interested.
Yekutiel stressed to the B.A.R. that while "Civic Joy Fund is trying to make San Francisco the night market city," the group will only move forward if merchants and residents are interested.
"It's still unclear if it's feasible, or even desired," Yekutiel said. "I think the Castro would be a great place to do a night market, because we have lots of proof people like to engage in the streets of the Castro. It's just a question of which streets, what hours, how much it would cost, and most importantly to me, is it something the merchants actually want, and the community?"
Asten Bennett said that last year's Halloween was such a success that the Civic Joy Fund "once again wants to sponsor some merchant activations the weekend before Halloween." For funding from the nonprofit, businesses are asked to submit budgets of $1,000 or less to [email protected].
Crime
Dave Burke, a straight ally who is District 8's public safety liaison, recounted the tale of two nudists who defended tourists from an alleged serial offender accused of terrorizing Castro residents. The San Francisco Standard reported on the story, which allegedly involved Zero Triball.
The B.A.R. has reported in the past about Triball's alleged pattern of harassment and violence, including an incident in which he allegedly assaulted someone leaving a Castro bar on Halloween 2023.
According to Burke, two nudists protected tourists from Triball on July 2. Triball, 39, was arrested and is at San Francisco County Jail, where he is charged with a number of crimes, including assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm. His next court date is August 16.
According to the San Francisco Standard, an attacker punched a tourist after brandishing a blowtorch and threatening to burn the tourist's face. The attacker fled after being smacked by one of the nudists.
"Not all heroes wear capes, or pants," Burke said. "We were looking at possibly honoring the gentlemen — one of the gentlemen doesn't want to be honored because he's private."
Burke added that while Triball's attorneys are seeking diversion, he has already been through a diversion program.
The San Francisco Public Defender's office is representing Triball.
"We are working with Mr. Triball to examine all the factors that may have played a role in what happened, and among the things we're looking at is his mental state at the time. We support Mr. Triball fully and hope we can get him the support he needs," Deputy Public Defender Will Helvestine stated to the B.A.R.
Burke said the incident shows the need for additional officers.
"We don't have enough cops out there," Burke said. "The fact civilians, regular individuals, had to intervene with this guy is shocking. ... It's the same pattern. He's relatively restrained for a while, and he goes off."
Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who usually appears at the merchants meetings, is on vacation. His legislative aide, Adam Thongsavat, said that enforcement operations against open-air drug use in the Castro will be ramping up, including on 16th Street near Super Duper Burgers.
"A lot of people continue to use drugs in open spaces," he said. "What we see in feedback is it's either late at night or early in the morning."
Thongsavat invited interested merchants to a 5 p.m. meeting the last Monday of each month with Mandelman's team to discuss street conditions.
On the topic of meetings, the Castro Community Benefit District is seeking new members for its board, which has some vacancies. Andrea Aiello, a lesbian who is the CBD's executive director, stated the CBD would "love to have merchants on the board." The CBD meets every even-numbered month on a Wednesday, she said.
Merchants support 2-day F-line closure
As the B.A.R. previously reported, a 187-unit affordable housing project aimed at LGBTQ seniors is coming to 1939 Market Street, at the corner of Duboce. Blake Nelson, with the construction company Swinerton, came to the merchants to ask the association's blessing not on the project but on shutting down the F-line streetcar for a weekend in fall 2026.
"We're here today to talk about us taking down our crane after we erect the building," Nelson said. "We have to put a mobile crane on Market Street to remove the crane on our job site and, to do that, we have to shut down the F-line for the weekend. One main concern is Castro businesses."
Nelson assured the merchants that "we will not be doing this on the weekend of the Castro Street Fair."
"I attend the Castro Street Fair every year, so I'm happy I won't have to work that weekend," he said. "There will be buses to replace the F-line."
The proposal gained the merchants' support without any no votes. As the B.A.R. reported in May, Mercy Housing California is awaiting word this month if it will receive state funding so it can break ground on the nearly $160 million housing tower it is constructing in conjunction with LGBTQ senior services provider Openhouse.
Castro Street storefront needs filling, owner says
Sam Daughman, owner of Rossi's Deli at 426 Castro Street, revealed to the merchants he bought the building that housed the old Body store, at 450 Castro Street.
"I'm here to ask for your support," he said. "We're trying to do something in that vacant space. A bakery, a donut shop, something the neighborhood doesn't have. That's all I need from you guys."
Daughman is seeking someone to rent the space from him.
"It's very difficult to get anyone there in this market," he said.
Body closed in 2019 after a fire that also shuttered Q Bar and Osaka Sushi. The latter space reopened as Fratelli Pizza in June. Meanwhile, gay Q Bar co-owner Cip Cipriano has not answered the Bay Area Reporter's requests for comment on when it will reopen since October 4, 2023, when he stated "we won't announce a date until we have everything completely done."
Daughman said he'll listen to any proposal, not necessarily a bakery or food establishment. Having the 1,400-foot space filled "makes it better for the neighbors," he added.
Updated, 8/1/24: This article has been updated with comments from Supervisor Joel Engardio.
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter's free weekday email newsletter. You'll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California's largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay -- Donate today!