For Vancouver foodies looking for a new playground to explore, a unique gastronomic marketplace is scheduled to open on the North Shore later this summer.

Located on a 100,000-square-foot waterfront lot, Hawkers Wharf (925 Harbourside Drive, North Vancouver) is designed to be an open-air food market comprised of 23 shipping containers.

Complete with restaurants, a grocery market, a vertical farm, a co-working kitchen, and a 6,000-square-foot bar, this food destination will undoubtedly raise the bar for future gourmet endeavours in Metro Vancouver.

This concept is the brainchild of Chris Jerome, founder of Hawkers Wharf and, previously, Hawkers Market at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet in Richmond.

“The major inspiration was trying to create local homes for local food businesses, and to have an affordable way to launch a restaurant or small food shop,” Jerome told the Straight in a phone interview.

One of the main highlights for budding business owners is a 4,000-square-foot co-working space, also known as an accelerator working kitchen. This feature will allow food shops to test out their ideas in a professional-grade kitchen.

In addition to providing a template for restaurateurs to start up small food businesses, the marketplace will also offer various attractions to visitors.

“It should be a place where you can come and enjoy a diverse amount of options,” Jerome said. “There will be lots of different foods and weekend markets with really unique food experiences.”

Guests will be able to enjoy a dining area that offers everything from Mexican street food to vegan fare, Neapolitan pizza to tacos, and coffee to craft beers. Vendors have yet to be announced, but a social-media campaign will reveal the eateries closer to the market’s launch sometime in August.

For those who would rather pick up something to cook at home, the grocery market at Hawkers Wharf can cater to your needs.

“It will have a community supported agriculture concept that allows you to order online and pick up at the wharf,” Jerome explained. “We’ll be selling many of the products made at Hawkers Wharf at this grocery market; the intent was to work with the sellers and farmers as closely as possible.”

If you think that this marketplace only has food-related concepts to offer, think again. The wharf also intends to introduce arts, music, and cultural events to its waterfront destination. For the health-conscious, regular fitness, yoga, and lifestyle classes will be available.

Despite these numerous things to see and do, Jerome emphasizes that the food aspect of the marketplace will be the main focus.

“It is a chance to really support local food businesses in our community and create a strong and thriving culture for new entrepreneurs,” Jerome said. “It’s a new and exciting experience and a chance to back the Canadian producers and farmers.”