The Myriad, Combination Market Hall and Small Business Incubator, is Headed to the Castro

Suddenly, upscale market halls seem to be popping up all over the Bay Area, with the newest addition slated for the Castro. However, the Myriad, the new project from partners Jordan Langer, Pete Glikshtern and Jeff Whitmore (also behind a variety of bars and new event space Pier 70) has plans to offer a different perspective.

Rather than becoming a "glorified food hall," Langer told Inside Scoop that the idea is to create "something that is a small business starter, like a kindling for a small business." They recently put out a call for 10-15 small businesses to join the Myriad as tenants in their modular, 4,000 square-foot space that can be configured to suit the varying needs of each business. Ideal tenants run the gamut from food and beverages to art to makers of "Organic Vegan Gluten-Free Dog Biscuits."

Two anchor tenants have already been determined, as extensions of the partners' already existing endeavours: Mrs. Jones, a sequel to the partners' Tendernob bar Jones, and Gambrel & Co., a second location of Langer's Redwood City butcher shop.

The business model is explicitly designed to help small businesses thrive in the increasingly difficult-to-navigate landscape of high rent prices and labor costs. Accordingly, the Myriad (which is not to be confused with Myriad Gastro Pub) will allow tenants lease options from six months to two years in varying sizes, with rent ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.

The tenant selection process is ongoing; interested businesses must submit proposals by May 1, with finalized selections by June 1. If all goes as planned, the partners plan to open by July.