SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A group of investors wants to bring a European-style public market to North Park with the Dam Park, slated to open later this year.
This weekend, however, the group is giving a preview with a special launch party.
The Dam Park market (4321 Illinois St., near El Cajon Boulevard) is designed after the Public Market at Liberty Station but on a smaller scale. The investors say it will be around 6,000 square feet.
Right now, they have a few restaurants, and other stores lined up, including a branch of the Italian restaurant Buona Forchetta, Mama Made Thai and the Le Parfait Paris Bakery. They also have a barber shop going in and a Brazilian wax salon.
"We trying to create a place where you can be here all day," said Guillaume Ryon, one of the investors and the owner of Le Parfait Paris. "You can eat, drink and get services."
They also hope to be an incubator for other San Diego small businesses.
"Instead of paying thousands of dollars in rent for a full store, they can set up a booth here for much less," Ryon said.
The group also has plans for a speakeasy-style gin bar. The main bar on the ground floor is built from a boat's hull, complete will a full sail that reaches to the ceiling.
The decor is meant to look like Amsterdam, which the owners say they chose because it's one of Europe's more underrated cities.
"The U.S. community thinks of Rome or London. We wanted to bring Amsterdam to the forefront since there's nothing like it here," said Ryon.
The hours for this weekend's launch party are:
Friday: 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Saturday: 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
Monday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Proceeds from the weekend will go toward Angels Helping Angels, a charity that helps fund social entrepreneurs in developing countries.
