About Eastern Market
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.
The vibrant atmosphere of Eastern Market
Market Highlights:
Market Vendors & Retailers
In addition to food, the market 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 quiltwork of retailers at Eastern Market
Vendor Highlights:
Eastern Market Map
Eastern Market is surrounded by main streets: I-75 & Mack, McDougal, and Gratiot (across the freeway bridge from Ford Field).
Farmer's Market street map (Five minutes east of downtown Detroit Renaissance Center)
What's at Eastern Market?
Eastern Market is a vibrant tapestry of retailers & wholesalers, stores, restaurants, specialty shops and special events that has served Detroit for over 130 years.
Winter & Summer at Eastern Market
Summer at Eastern Market
May signals the beginning of the flower growing season. The famous Flower Day (Mid-May) is always the main annual flower-gardening sales event. Thousands of truckloads of flowers, millions of flats and baskets sold.
Eastern Market thrives with the seasons, each offering a different experience. In summer, the market is in full swing with rows of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and artisanal foods. Saturdays are particularly busy as the market overflows with farmers, food vendors, artists, and musicians.
Winter at Eastern Market
The first Saturday after Thanksgiving begins the Christmas tree selling season – from small Charlie Brown size up to 20 feet tall, plus wreaths, garland, poinsettias, cyclamen plants, and custom holiday arrangements.
Winter at Eastern Market is just as special. Vendors sell everything from freshly baked breads to holiday decorations. The market hosts seasonal events like the Winter Market, where visitors can shop for holiday gifts and enjoy warm beverages.
Christmas at Eastern Market
Christmas Greens & Trimmings
Fresh wreaths & garland, roping & grave blankets, holly & cones, center pieces & berries - everything you need for holiday decorating.
Christmas Poinsettias
Originally cultivated by Aztec indians, and due to the plant's star-shaped and deep red petals, the poinsettia has become associated with Christmas holiday decorations.
Christmas Trees
The sound of chainsaws buzzing, the excited chatter of holiday shoppers, the occasional scent of scotch pine drifting in the air, variety of soft wreaths and garlands. Plus, many custom-made Christmas decorations.
9 Tips for Buying Fresh Christmas Trees
Fall at Eastern Market
Pumpkins have arrived at Eastern Market! Bushels of pumpkins, bins of pumpkins, from smallest to giant size, gourds & squash by the thousands. The occasional bale of hay & Halloween decor.
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
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.
Saturdays at Eastern Market
Farmer's Market Saturdays are the busiest and most vibrant
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get to Eastern Market?
Any major freeway (I-75, I-96, I-94) or main thoroughfare (Jefferson, Grand River, Woodward, or Gratiot) will lead you to downtown Detroit. Hence the phrase...
- Where to find additional info about kinds of restaurants?
Try this summary link: Eastern Market Restaurants
- What is the best time to shop at the farmer's market?
- What are the best products to buy?
- Where do I get all of my Eastern Market questions answered?
"All roads lead to Detroit Eastern Market."
Eastern Market Infographic
Eastern Market Infographic: Quiltwork of Retailers
Product Prices at Eastern Market
Shoppers will find a wide range of prices for fruits & vegetables. The farmer's market consists of independent 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 any price: sometimes 50% lower than supermarkets, sometimes equal to or higher.
Product & Price Comparison
Buyer Beware
The negative side of not having a governing body is that some vendors might try to sell substandard goods, or mis-represent non-organic produce as being organic. So, buyers must remain vigilant during their shopping.
Can You Spot Bad Produce at Eastern Market?
What's at Eastern Market?
The most pervasive question asked is, what do they sell at Eastern 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. Thousands of coneys are 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, and sausage attract visitors from everywhere. 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 others are savory sweet.
Eastern Market Flower Season
Flower Season 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 buy flowers from area greenhouse flower growers who sell garden flowers from flats, containers and hanging baskets in all six Sheds. Detroit Eastern Market has been a time-honored tradition since 1967.
Statistically Speaking
With attendance statistics soaring each year, the market streets transform into a colorful mosaic of blooming walk paths, creating a rainbow of beauty. It 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.
Eastern Market Meat Shops
Gratiot Central Meat Stores
It is a smörgåsbord of meats – There are retail meat stores, wholesale meat stores, meat stores on Russell Street, meat stores on Riopelle Street, meat stores on Gratiot Street across the bridge. Thousands of people buying every kind of meat. Beef and poultry lovers everywhere come to Eastern Market for quality meats.
Gratiot Central Market is a hub for smoked meats, cooked meats, sausages, cold cuts, pork, Bar-B-Que ribs, steaks, fish and yes, even produce; you name it, "they have the meats." Along with a large variety of seafood.
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 big, large, and colorful displays of vegetables and vibrant fruits. During peak season, the grounds are covered in multiple varieties of different fruits & vegetables. In addition to Michigan watermelons, you will find some Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia watermelons 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 sell 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 in summer and extends into fall for the fruits & vegetables season.
Tailgating at Eastern Market
With grills fired up, the air is filled with the enticing aroma of hot dogs and chicken wings sizzling to perfection. Fans gather around their car trunks, creating impromptu kitchens of camaraderie. The vibrant scene showcases the true spirit of Detroit fandom, blending the love for food with the rich culinary traditions of tailgating.
Stores & Shops
In this old store... you can walk into a great selection of cheeses and wines. Plenty of cheeses, bread, spreads, & cakes, pastries & cookies many kinds of other goodies. 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
Visitors will always find a plethora of vendors every Saturday, mainly in Sheds 2 & 3 and on many streets, but heavily condensed in the Shed 2 areas at the Southern-End of the market. Add shoppers' curiosity to the list of things to see and find such as T-Shirts, sports memorabilia.
Colorful and unique gifts are found for that special day or special someone such as custom bottle openers. Vendors specialize in crafts, jewelry, Eastern Market antiques, art, collectibles and many custom handmade products. This is a relaxing way to spend a weekend. There is always some live entertainment from freelance street performers to heighten the open-air festival atmosphere.
Flea Market at Eastern 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 Gratiot Street.
The Detroit Flea Market at Eastern Market is a treasure trove for trinket shoppers. Held periodically, mostly on Saturdays during summer weekends, 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
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 Eastern Market Links
Links to get you started:
Eastern Market Hours Saturday: 6AM-4PM
Cut Flower Gardening
What to Look for at The Farmer's Market
Cut Flower Gardening - at Home
What makes a good 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 lend themselves well to making cut flower bouquets all summer long. You can find most of these varieties at Eastern Market.
Even more surprising, 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
