The Epicurean Trader Brings a Bonanza of Artisan Spirits and Food to the Marina

A motherlode of handcrafted liquor, locally produced coffee, and farmstead cheese is now available in the Marina with the opening of The Epicurean Trader’s second outpost. The small batch artisan goods purveyor opened its first location in Bernal Heights two years ago and has become a favorite for all those on the prowl for unusual apéritifs, hard-to-find whiskeys, and one-of-a-kind mezcals.

Married couple/owners Matt Pond and Holly McDell hand-select each item in the store to create a medley of curated products like what you’d typically find at local farmer’s markets, or wine and food fairs. “We’re not volume driven,” Pond told Eater. “Our selections are a little smaller, but more curated. We’ve tasted everything and we stand behind every item.”

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Stefanie Tuder

That goes for small batch distillers like Wright & Brown, Oakland’s first post-prohibition whiskey that Pond and McDell took a personal interest in early on, investing in several cases to feature in the shop’s Whiskey Club collection. They’re supporters of other Californian whiskies as well, like that of Home Base Spirits, a distillery run by two sisters who used sustainably grown corn to produce their first batch of bourbon.

The Epicurean Trader’s Union Street location is home to over 400 different craft whiskeys, 100 distinct mezcal brands, and a massive cheese selection that focuses on locally grown varieties but offers several European darlings, like UK cheddars, Swiss goudas, and fragrant Époisses.

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Aside from its retail items, the shop sells made-to-order sandwiches on Tartine bread (truffle Swiss and the BLT are two of their bestsellers), scoops of Humphry Slocombe ice cream, as well as a brand new SF-based paleo/vegan gelato called Jönes. And, as soon as the weather warms up, they’ll be offering another classic San Francisco product: Scoops and pints of Bi-Rite ice cream.

The Epicurean Trader’s Union Street location is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.