The Eastern Market
Everything Eastern Market
An Evolving Quiltwork of Retailers
WHAT IS AT THE MARKET?
WINTER SUMMER?
FALL AT THE MARKET
SATURDAYS ARE BEST
MARKET INFOGRAPHIC
CUT FLOWER GARDENING
About Market - Overviews:
• Architectural Old Shed 2 Heritage • Billboards BILLBOARDS - Market Nostalgia• City of Detroit Culture • Evolving History Evolving Eastern Market • Directions Direction to Eastern Market • Statistics Statistically Speaking
About Retailers - Overviews:
• Arts & Crafts Arts & Crafts • Types of Eastern Market Restaurants • Seasonings Spices & Herbs • Retail Sales Street Vendors • Eastern Markets Meat Market • Local Farmers & Fresh ProduceAbout
What's at the Detroit Eastern Market?
Eastern Market is a quiltwork of retailers & wholesalers, stores, restaurants specialty shops and special events.
Eastern Market is a bustling center of commerce in downtown Detroit, offering a wide range of products that reflect the diverse tastes and needs of the local community. The market is home to vendors who sell fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, and meats, with a heavy emphasis on locally sourced and organic products. Visitors can find fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farms, artisan cheeses, handcrafted breads, and a variety of specialty foods, including pickles, sauces, and jams.
In addition to food, the market also boasts a selection of handmade crafts, pottery, clothing, and jewelry, reflecting the local art scene. Eastern Market is also famous for its array of spices, herbs, and seasonings that infuse a sense of global flavors into its local charm. The market caters to both casual shoppers and wholesalers, providing something for everyone from families to restaurateurs.
The market is organized into several distinct sheds, each hosting a different array of vendors depending on the day of the week. Saturdays are the busiest, with over 200 vendors, while weekdays see a smaller, more relaxed market. The vibrant murals and street art that adorn the market’s surroundings are as much a draw as the products themselves, adding to the colorful, community-centric vibe. Whether you’re a foodie, a gardener, or an art lover, Eastern Market is a must-visit destination that celebrates Detroit’s local culture and commerce.
Eastern Market in Detroit is a historic, colorful, and lively marketplace where the past and present converge in a unique blend of culture, commerce, and community. Spanning over 43 acres in the heart of downtown Detroit, this area has served as a hub of food distribution for the Midwest since the late 1800s. Today, Eastern Market is a bustling mosaic of farmers, retailers, wholesalers, specialty shops, and restaurants. Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, unique handmade goods, or a place to enjoy a good meal, Eastern Market offers a shopping and cultural experience like no other.
The Historic Heart of Detroit's Commerce
Eastern Market’s history is deeply rooted in Detroit’s industrial and commercial development. Established in 1891, it quickly became a center for wholesale food distribution. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the largest public markets in the United States, with both wholesale and retail offerings. Its legacy remains alive in the red-brick market sheds, the open-air stalls, and the towering murals that adorn the neighborhood’s historic buildings.
The atmosphere of Eastern Market is a reflection of Detroit’s resilience and diversity. Every Saturday, the market draws tens of thousands of visitors, from locals stocking up on fresh produce to tourists eager to explore one of the city’s most iconic destinations. Though the market is busiest on weekends, it operates throughout the week, serving as a vital connection between farmers, retailers, wholesalers, and consumers.
The Layout of Eastern Market: A Closer Look at the Quiltwork
Eastern Market is organized into a series of market sheds, each housing a variety of vendors. The sheds are numbered and are home to different vendors based on the day of the week. On Saturdays, when the market is at its busiest, you’ll find up to 225 vendors selling fresh produce, meats, flowers, and specialty foods. Wednesdays and Sundays also offer markets but on a smaller scale, providing a more intimate experience.
Beyond the market sheds, Eastern Market’s surrounding streets are lined with a diverse collection of shops, restaurants, cafes, and galleries. This mixture of spaces creates a quiltwork of retailers and wholesalers, seamlessly blending commerce with culture and art.
Farm-Fresh Produce and Specialty Foods: A Shopper's Paradise
At the heart of Eastern Market’s offerings is its farm-fresh produce. Vendors from all over Michigan and neighboring states bring their harvests to the market, offering everything from seasonal fruits and vegetables to fresh herbs, honey, and eggs. Shoppers can find heirloom tomatoes, crisp apples, vibrant leafy greens, and a wide variety of seasonal produce depending on the time of year. The produce is often sold directly by the farmers who grow it, ensuring both quality and affordability.
For those looking for something beyond fresh produce, Eastern Market is also a treasure trove of specialty foods. Artisan bakers sell fresh-baked breads
This page will provide a useful insight on Eastern Market shopping opportunities to help market Detroit visitors get the most benefit in prices and quality products. With a little more info about stores and shops, you will be at an advantage when you visit the historical Farmers Market in downtown Detroit, Michigan.
Eastern Market is Changing
DETROIT FARMER'S MARKET, WINTER SUMMER
SUMMER AT THE MARKET
The month of May signals the beginning of the flower growing season. The infamous Flower Day (Mid-May) is always the main annual flower-gardening sales event. Thousands of truckloads of flowers, millions of flats and baskets sold.
WINTER AT THE MARKET
First Saturday weekend after thanksgiving begins the christmas trees selling season–from small charlie brown size up to 20 feet tall, wreaths, garland, poinesttias, cyclamen plans, and custom holiday arrangemnts–all sheds.
9 TIPS Fresh Christmas Trees
Eastern Market transforms with the seasons, each time offering a different experience for visitors. In the summer, the market is in full swing, with rows upon rows of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and artisanal foods. The warm months see an explosion of color and variety as vendors bring in their freshest, most bountiful crops. Saturdays are particularly busy as the market overflows with farmers, food vendors, artists, and musicians, making it a vibrant cultural experience as well as a shopping trip.
Winter at Eastern Market, however, is just as special. As the temperature drops, the market sheds are filled with hearty root vegetables, winter squashes, and preserves. Despite the cold, vendors still show up in force, selling everything from freshly baked breads to holiday decorations. The market also hosts seasonal events like the Winter Market, where visitors can shop for holiday gifts and decorations, enjoy warm beverages, and soak up the festive atmosphere. The sheds are heated, making winter visits comfortable even in chilly Detroit weather. Each season brings its own unique products. Spring is marked by an abundance of flowers and plants, while fall introduces pumpkins, apples, and other harvest-themed goods. Eastern Market's ability to evolve with the changing seasons keeps visitors coming back year-round, ensuring that there is always something new and exciting to discover.THE MARKET'S CHRISTMAS SEASON
Christmas season is in full swing at the Detroit Eastern Market. Saturday weekends are always the big sales day during the christmas season.
Eastern Market Video
CHRISTMAS GREENS, TRIMMINGS
Christmas greens and trimmings: fresh wreaths & garland, roping & grave blankets, holly & cones, center pieces & berries.
Christmas Greens & TrimmingsCHRISTMAS POINTSETTIAS
Originally cultivated by Aztec indians, and due to the plants star-shaped and deep red petals, the poinsettias has become associated with christmas holiday decorations.
Christmas Poinsettias.EASTERN MARKET CHRISTMAS TREES
It's that time of the year, Christmas Trees at Eastern Market! The sound of chainsaws buzzing, the excited chatter of holiday shoppers, the crowds, the tiniest charlie brown Christmas Tree up to the tallest twenty foot trees. The occasional scent of scotch pine drifts in the air, variety of soft wreaths and garlands. Plus, many custom-made Christmas decorations.
FALL AT THE MARKET
It's that fall time of the year, Pumkins have arrived at the Eastern Market! Bushels of pumpkins, bins of pumkins, from smallest to giant size, gourds & squash by the thousands. The occasional bale of hay & holloween decor.
Fall is one of the most celebrated times at Eastern Market, as the harvest season brings an array of seasonal delights. Crisp apples, plump pumpkins, and a variety of squashes fill the stalls, alongside gourds, corn stalks, and decorative items perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving. The market is alive with the warm hues of autumn, as vendors display their best harvests and customers begin to prepare for the upcoming holidays. This time of year is also when many Detroiters look forward to events such as Harvest Fest and Pumpkin Sunday. Fall brings a nostalgic sense of tradition to the market, with families stocking up on fresh produce for pies, jams, and preserves. Shoppers can also find locally made cider and donuts, which are fall favorites that add to the seasonal charm of the market. The cool, crisp air, combined with the smell of roasting chestnuts and spiced beverages, makes Eastern Market a perfect fall destination. Whether you’re looking for fresh ingredients for a seasonal recipe, decorations for your home, or simply a place to enjoy the autumn weather, the market has something for everyone.
Come and pick your pumpkin. Pie Making? – Look for some New England or Baby Bears.
There are over 100 varieties of pumpkins! 
Fall produce is in season at Eastern Market Detroit, Michigan
SATURDAYS ARE THE BEST!
Farmer's Market Saturdays
While Eastern Market is open throughout the week, Saturdays are by far the busiest and most popular days to visit. On a typical Saturday, the market draws thousands of visitors, including locals, tourists, and food enthusiasts from across the region. The atmosphere is electric, with vendors setting up early in the morning and shoppers arriving to snag the freshest produce and best deals.
One of the reasons Saturdays stand out is the sheer volume of vendors. With more than 200 vendors offering a wide array of products, Saturdays offer the greatest variety and selection. From fresh fruits and vegetables to specialty meats, artisanal cheeses, homemade pastries, and handcrafted goods, there is no shortage of items to explore. In addition to the food vendors, the market is also home to a rotating selection of street performers, musicians, and local artists, adding to the vibrant community feel.
Many visitors make a day of their Saturday trip to Eastern Market, starting with a coffee from one of the local cafes and wandering the sheds, eventually grabbing lunch from one of the market’s food trucks or nearby restaurants. The sense of community is palpable, with families, friends, and neighbors coming together to enjoy the best that Detroit has to offer.
THE TOP FOUR QUESTIONS ASKED ARE:
Any major freeway (I-75, I-96, I-94) or main thouroughfare (Jefferson, Grandriver, Woodward, or Gratiot) from 50 miles out will lead you to dowontown Detroit. Hence the phrase...
"All road lead to Detroit Eastern Market."
MARKET INTERESTS
This page will provide shopping visitors important information in four key bulleted areas as outlined above. Educated shoppers will leave Eastern Market with more appreciation and better merchandise.
The webpage also include " All things Detroit Eastern Market " interests and activities such as flower days, new product varieties, product availability and pricing for meats, produce, and other grocery related items. MarketSmarts tips will help to can get you more.
Eastern Market Infographic Quiltwork of Retailers
PRODUCT PRICES?
Shoppers will find a wide range of prices for fruits & vegetables. Farmer's market consists of independant vendors and farmers who set their own prices. Because prices are not uniformly set by a corporation or governing body, you can almost find anything at anyprice: sometimes 50% lower than supermarkets, sometimes equal to or higher, than found at the Farmers Market in Detroit.
BUYER BEWARE
The negative side of not having a governing body is that some vendors or farmers might try to sell substandard goods, or mis-represent non-organic produce as being organic. So, buyers must remain vigilant during their shopping spree just in case.
Can You Spot Bad Produce at the Market?
MAIN STREET BOUNDRIES
Eastern Market is surrounded by these main streets: I-75 & Mack, McDougal, and Gratiot.
WHAT'S AT THE MARKET?
The most prevasive question asked is, what do they sell at the Market? Well... it's not just for buying produce anymore.
There are many different retail stores and eateries lining the main streets. Don't worry about parking, there is plenty. There will be thousands of coney's sold, the same is said for breakfast; fresh eggs, bacon, and grits, will get you pumped up into the shopping mix. Bar-B-Que Ribs, chicken, a nd sausage, visitors from everywhere will converge on Eastern Market. Yes...there are many dining places and things to eat; both food and treats. Shoppers are greeted with the smell of spices, and pleasant aromas filling the market air, some pungent while other are savory sweet. Some places you dine inside other places you can dine out; rows of tables and chairs along the sidewalks invite you to sit and people watch. Rest your feet, hanging baskets and shopping bags.
There are lots of places selling refreshments to drink, some strong, some soft, others sweet. There are nuts to buy, coffees to sample, seasonings to smell as you make this one of your favorite days downtown. Then, there is the annual Flower Day event–plenty of inventory for gardening and flower lovers.
THE MARKET'S BIG, MAIN EVENT!
EASTERN MARKET OF DETROIT FLOWER SEASON
Flower Day Season also called "Detroit Flower Day", is one of metro Detroit's most popular summer long gardening & flower events. It is also known as the Detroit Wholesale Flower Market because it supplies many greenhouses and garden center retailers in the early mornings. However, Saturday hours are reserved for the general public to by flowers from area greenhouse flower growers who in turn sell garden flowers from flats, containers and hanging baskets in all six Sheds. Detroit Eastern Market has been a time-honored tradition of since 1967.
SATISTICALLY SPEAKING
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With attendance statistics soaring each year, the market streets transform into a colorful mosaic of blooming walk paths, creating a rainbow color of beauty. Detroit Flower Day has become a cherished tradition. The statistics reflect not just the attendance but the enduring appeal of this annual event as it continues to flourish and enchant in the heart of Detroit.
GRATIOT CENTRAL MEAT STORES
EASTERN MARKET
FRESH VEGETABLES & PRODUCE
Fresh produce trucked in daily. "Two for $5, two for $5" shoppers may hear some of the best deals in town echo under the sheds as they stroll when Michigan's produce season begins. Consumers will discover the big, large, and colorful display of a meandering of vegetable and vibrant fruit colors. During this time, the grounds will be covered in a multiple of different fruits & vegetables. In addition to Michigan watermelons, you will find some Texas watermelons, Mississippi watermelons, Alabama watermelons, Georgia watermelons, and in every size & shape; round, oblong and really long. Iceberg Lettuce, Romaine, Butterhead Lettuce, Spinach, baby spinach and cabbage. There are bins of tomatoes, cantaloupe, cucumbers, and baskets of greens, beans and broccoli. 
They will be selling turnip & mustard greens, green peas & green-beans. Herbs & Spices, okra and garlic under every Shed. Onions, peppers, potatoes and squash. "The magic of the market" starts this summer and extends into the fall for the fruits & vegetablesseason.
FOOTBALL LIONS TAILGATING AT EASTERN MARKET
Lions tailgating at Eastern Market is an electrifying experience for Detroit football fans. On game days, this iconic marketplace transforms into a sea of team spirit and camaraderie. Tailgaters converge with grills sizzling, donning Honolulu blue and silver attire. From pre-game rituals to cheers echoing through the air, Eastern Market becomes the epicenter of Lions fandom. Local vendors contribute to the festivities with Detroit-themed fare, creating a culinary mosaic. The vibrant energy and passionate crowd make Lions tailgating at Eastern Market a tradition where the roar of fans mirrors the roar of the pride on the field.
With grills fired up, the air is filled with the enticing aroma of hot dogs and chicken wings sizzling to perfection. Fans, draped in Lions regalia, gather around their car trunks, creating impromptu kitchens of camaraderie. The vibrant scene showcases the true spirit of Detroit fandom, blending the love for football with the rich culinary traditions of tailgating.
The Detroit Farmer's Market
STORES & SHOPS
In this old store... you can walk into a great selection of cheeses and wines. Plenty of cheeses, bread, spreads, & cakes, pastries & cookie many kinds of other goodie goodie yum yums. Wines by the crates, wine by the bottle, local & imported. Michigan made products, snacks and baked goods. You can find your favorite wine and cheese among the bounty of stores with a turn of the century charm.
PAST TO PRESENT 1920s
Detroit's downtown area expanded rapidly during the early years. By the 1920s the downtown covered a section encompassing Detroit River, the Lodge Freeway, I-75
Historical Map - Library of Congress
STREET VENDORS
Detroit's Market
FLEA MARKET AT THE MARKET
"Something old, something new; lamps furniture, trinkets".
Eastern Market Hours: Mainly on Sundays in Shed 5, and Saturdays, but scattered throughout the market particularly at the south-end of the market near Shed 2 and on the adjacent connecting over-pass heading south toward the Gratiot Street.
The Detroit Flea Market at Eastern Market is a treasure trove for trinket shoppers. Held periodically, mostly on Saturdays– on every weekend during summer. it features an eclectic mix of vendors offering vintage finds, handmade crafts, and unique treasures. From antique furniture to artisanal goods, the market caters to diverse tastes. Shoppers should arrive early for the best picks and be prepared to haggle for great deals. The vibrant atmosphere, and food trucks add to the experience.
With a keen eye, shoppers can unearth one-of-a-kind items, making each visit to the Detroit Flea Market at Eastern Market an exciting adventure in urban exploration and discovery.
To get accurate and current details about the days and hours of operation, you can visit the official website of Eastern Market or contact their information line. Eastern Market Official Website: Eastern Market For real-time information, event schedules, and market hours, you can also inquire through Eastern Market's social media channels or contact the market office directly.
OTHER MARKET LINKS
LINKS TO GET YOU STARTED:
Eastern Market Flower Day - In Detail
Market History - History Notes
Flower Day
Photo Gallery Eastern Market
Eastern Market Hours Saturday: 6AM-4PM
CUT FLOWERS
What to Look for at The Farmer's Market
Cut Flower Gardening - at Home
What makes a good cut cut-flower?
- flower stem length
- flower fragrance
Start a small wild flower patch in your backyard garden. Consider what kind of flowers you like–colors, size, short, tall. Also, take into consideration the kinds of smell you are partial to. There are a lot of garden flowers that lends themselves well to making cut flower bouquets all summer long. You can find most of these varieties at the Eastern Market.
Even more suprising, your garden may already contain some prime accent cut flower candidates. View a partial list of suggestions below:
- Cosmos
- Hydrangeas
- Lavender
- Geraniums
- Wild Flowers
- Zinnias
- Tiger Lillies
- Hostas
Add indoor beauty all summer long
Include hues of calming purple & blues like forget me nots
Add accent foliage such as hostas to your arrangements
Make beautiful bouquets to brighten the Home
Cut from existing garden annual favorites
Plant cultivars such as fragrant sage in your Cut Flower Garden
Plant cultivars such as cosmos in your Cut Flower Garden