{"id":28582,"date":"2023-09-17T13:30:56","date_gmt":"2023-09-17T20:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=28582"},"modified":"2023-09-17T13:30:57","modified_gmt":"2023-09-17T20:30:57","slug":"not-destined-to-the-doom-loop-thousands-flock-to-first-s-f-night-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2023\/09\/17\/not-destined-to-the-doom-loop-thousands-flock-to-first-s-f-night-market\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Not destined to the doom loop\u2019: Thousands flock to first S.F. night market"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sfchronicle.com\/author\/megan-fan-munce\/\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sfchronicle.com\/author\/megan-fan-munce\/\" target=\"_blank\">Megan Fan Munce<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sep. 15, 2023 Updated: Sep. 17, 2023 10:41\u00a0a.m. (SFChronicle.com)<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/feed?app_id=137086563877087&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfchronicle.com%2Fsf%2Farticle%2Fthousands-pack-s-f-s-sunset-district-s-first-18367471.php%3Futm_campaign%3DCMS%2520Sharing%2520Tools%2520(Premium)%26utm_source%3Dfacebook.com%26utm_medium%3Dreferral&amp;name=%E2%80%98Not%20destined%20to%20the%20doom%20loop%E2%80%99%3A%20Thousands%20flock%20to%20first%20S.F.%20night%20market&amp;description=Thousands%20of%20residents%20packed%20Irving%20Street%20to%20browse%20through%20mochi%20doughnuts%2C...&amp;picture=https%3A%2F%2Fs.hdnux.com%2Fphotos%2F01%2F34%2F36%2F32%2F24241835%2F6%2FrawImage.jpg&amp;redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfchronicle.com%2Fsf%2Farticle%2Fthousands-pack-s-f-s-sunset-district-s-first-18367471.php%3Futm_campaign%3DCMS%2520Sharing%2520Tools%2520(Premium)%26utm_source%3DUTMSOURCE%26utm_medium%3DUTMMEDIUM\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfchronicle.com%2Fsf%2Farticle%2Fthousands-pack-s-f-s-sunset-district-s-first-18367471.php%3Futm_campaign%3DCMS%2520Sharing%2520Tools%2520(Premium)%26utm_source%3Dt.co%26utm_medium%3Dreferral&amp;text=%E2%80%98Not%20destined%20to%20the%20doom%20loop%E2%80%99%3A%20Thousands%20flock%20to%20first%20S.F.%20night%20market&amp;via=sfchronicle\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:?subject=Your%20friend%20has%20shared%20a%20San%20Francisco%20Chronicle%20link%20with%20you%3A%20&amp;body=%E2%80%98Not%20destined%20to%20the%20doom%20loop%E2%80%99%3A%20Thousands%20flock%20to%20first%20S.F.%20night%20market%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfchronicle.com%2Fsf%2Farticle%2Fthousands-pack-s-f-s-sunset-district-s-first-18367471.php%3Futm_campaign%3DCMS%2520Sharing%2520Tools%2520(Premium)%26utm_source%3Dshare-by-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%0A%0AThousands%20of%20residents%20packed%20Irving%20Street%20to%20browse%20through%20mochi%20doughnuts%2C...%0A%0AThis%20message%20was%20sent%20via%20San%20Francisco%20Chronicle\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"1-image-24241835\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.hdnux.com\/photos\/01\/34\/36\/32\/24241835\/6\/1200x0.jpg\" alt=\"A large crowd moves through the Night Market in the Sunset District Friday. San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio is launching the Sunset District\u2019s first-ever night market to foster community, stimulate the local economy, and bring a sense of joy to the city.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">1of7A large crowd moves through the Night Market in the Sunset District Friday. San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio is launching the Sunset District\u2019s first-ever night market to foster community, stimulate the local economy, and bring a sense of joy to the city.Felix Uribe\/Special to the Chronicle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"2-image-24241841\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.hdnux.com\/photos\/01\/34\/36\/32\/24241841\/5\/1200x0.jpg\" alt=\"Celine and Johnny, who did not want to give their last name, eat on a bench at the Night Market in the Sunset District of San Francisco Friday.\u00a0\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\" id=\"3-image-24241845\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.hdnux.com\/photos\/01\/34\/36\/32\/24241845\/6\/1200x0.jpg\" alt=\"Kids slide down the bounce house slide at the Night Market in the Sunset District on Friday. San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio said three blocks wasn\u2019t enough for the inaugural night market.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Three years ago it may have been impossible to imagine three blocks of Irving Street packed to the brim with people, performers and food.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the inaugural Sunset Night Market Friday night was just as crowded as the night markets of Taipei it was&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfchronicle.com\/food\/restaurants\/article\/night-market-sf-18144374.php\">inspired by<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From 20th to 23rd avenues, every corner brought a new experience: from Taiwanese pork cutlet sandwiches to a dozen purple tutued ballerinas waiting for their performance with the San Francisco Youth Ballet Academy. Thousands of people packed both local businesses and the 70 vendor booths in the street.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is beyond expectation,\u201d Supervisor Joel&nbsp;Engardio, who represents the Sunset District, told the Chronicle. \u201cThe thousands of people who came out just shows how hungry they are to take back our streets and create our best San Francisco.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engardio echoed that sentiment when he addressed the crowd from the event stage, and drew cheers as he proclaimed: \u201cWe are not destined to the doom loop that we hear about on the news. We can overcome it, and it starts tonight on Irving Street.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.hdnux.com\/photos\/01\/34\/36\/32\/24241839\/6\/1200x0.jpg\" alt=\"Chef Martin Yan receives an award from Mayor London Breed in the Sunset District on Friday. San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio is launching the Sunset District\u2019s first night market to foster community and stimulate the local economy.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chef Martin Yan receives an award from Mayor London Breed in the Sunset District on Friday. San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio is launching the Sunset District\u2019s first night market to foster community and stimulate the local economy.Felix Uribe\/Special to the Chronicle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sunset resident Peg Tran tackled the crowds with a plan: lock down a table with her 1\u00bd-year-old, Jett, while her husband battled the long lines for gumbo and mini dumplings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For parents, it was a rare opportunity to bring their children to a family friendly event after dark.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s nice to be able to go out and not be in a restaurant, because after five there\u2019s not much for kids,\u201d Annie Akin said, sitting at a table with her 1\u00bd-year-old, Reed. \u201cI love that they\u2019re trying this out.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was also a boon for local businesses, which nearly universally sported lines out the door.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fili Mauai, an independent artist who sells his drawings as pins, key chains and stickers, said he had been to craft fairs across the Bay Area, but nothing compared to the foot traffic at the night market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The diversity of the crowd meant getting exposed to an entirely new audience, Mauai said. Vendors ranged from those offering locally grown carnivorous plants and colorful mochi doughnuts to a local cannabis dispensary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.hdnux.com\/photos\/01\/34\/36\/32\/24241855\/6\/1200x0.jpg\" alt=\"K-Pop Chicken chef Astro Park cooks at the Night Market in the Sunset District on Friday.\u00a0\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">K-Pop Chicken chef Astro Park cooks at the Night Market in the Sunset District on Friday.&nbsp;Felix Uribe\/Special to the Chronicle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Engardio had the idea to bring a night market to the Sunset District last year during a visit to Taiwan with his husband, Lionel Hsu, who immigrated from Taipei. But the diversity of vendors was a reflection of the community in the Sunset District,&nbsp;Engardio said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople have been asking me why I love San Francisco so much. I say, because it\u2019s such a unique place, so inclusive, that everyone can call it home,\u201d Hsu said in a speech at the market. \u201cTo me, home is a place with lights and food at night, and the night market is exactly like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The market\u2019s success laid the groundwork for future night markets in the Sunset District and across the city, Engardio said. He hopes that sometime next year, the Sunset District will start hosting monthly markets in different parts of the neighborhood. But this time, they\u2019ll know to bring even more vendors and more food to keep up with the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt needs to be bigger,\u201d Engardio said. \u201cThree blocks wasn\u2019t enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reach Megan Fan Munce:\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:Megan.Munce@sfchronicle.com\">Megan.Munce@sfchronicle.com<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sfchronicle.com\/author\/megan-fan-munce\/\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Written By <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sfchronicle.com\/author\/megan-fan-munce\/\" target=\"_blank\">Megan Fan Munce<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SFChronicle\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/meganfanmunce\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Megan Fan Munce is a reporter who joined the San Francisco Chronicle as part of the two-year Hearst Journalism Fellowship, spending her first year of the program at the Houston Chronicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Munce grew up in San Jose before attending Northwestern University&#8217;s Medill School of Journalism, graduating with a B.S. and M.S. in journalism and a second major in political science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She previously worked as an audience engagement fellow and a reporting fellow at the Texas Tribune, as well as an audience intelligence intern for KQED.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Megan Fan Munce Sep. 15, 2023 Updated: Sep. 17, 2023 10:41\u00a0a.m. (SFChronicle.com) Three years ago it may have been impossible to imagine three blocks of Irving Street packed to the brim with people, performers and food.&nbsp; But the inaugural Sunset Night Market Friday night was just as crowded as the&#8230; <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2023\/09\/17\/not-destined-to-the-doom-loop-thousands-flock-to-first-s-f-night-market\/\"> Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1090],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28582"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28582"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28582\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28583,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28582\/revisions\/28583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28582"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28582"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28582"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}