Owner of Gus’s Market & Haight St. Market Killed in Hit-and-Run

image from Gus’s Market’s Instagram.

Konstantinos “Gus” Vardakastanis was killed this morning in the Bayview in a hit-and-run. Co-owner of Haight Street Market, Noriega Produce, and Gus’s Market, he was a beloved member of the Haight Street community. Many folks in the Haight think of Haight Street Market as the hub of the neighborhood and Gus was at its helm.

Seven year Haight resident Josiah Roe had this to say about Gus:

Gus, his family and their market have been the center of the neighborhood for as long as I’ve lived here. He was funny, quick-witted, goofy and above all kind. I can’t imagine The Haight and San Francisco without him.

According to sources Gus was crossing the street at Jerrold Ave. and Toland St. at 2:15am on his way to pick up produce for his stores, the same way he’s been doing for decades.

Police are looking for a sedan with windshield and front end damage. Anyone with information can call the department’s tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text TIP411, beginning the message with “SFPD.”

For those who would like to show their love to Gus and his family, people are leaving flowers and notes on the parklet outside Haight Street Market.

Let’s all hope the police catch the driver who hit Gus.