The Engine of Regional Food Security
Spanning 43 acres just east of downtown Detroit, Eastern Market is the oldest continuously operating public market in the United States. Founded in 1891, the market operates six sprawling steel-and-brick sheds where over 225 Michigan farmers, growers, and food entrepreneurs assemble weekly.
Beyond the famous Saturday Market that draws 40,000 visitors, Eastern Market serves as Detroit's regional food hub—supplying independent restaurants, grocers, and community food pantries across Michigan with fresh produce, meats from historic butchers like Germack and Gratiot Central Market, and specialty goods.
Murals in the Market: An Outdoor Art Museum
In 2015, Detroit art publisher 1xRUN launched Murals in the Market in partnership with Eastern Market Partnership. Over ten editions, the festival brought more than 150 acclaimed international and local artists—including Shepard Fairey, Tyree Guyton, and Tiff Massey—to paint large-scale murals across the district's industrial warehouses.
Today, Eastern Market stands as one of the world's most vibrant open-air public galleries, attracting art lovers, photographers, and mural tours year-round.
Community Mandate
"Eastern Market is Detroit's common ground—where food accessibility, historic commerce, and world-class public art intersect to celebrate community culture."
— Eastern Market Partnership
Historical Timeline
Eastern Market opens at Russell and Russell Streets as Detroit's primary wholesale produce hub.
Eastern Market is added to the National Register of Historic Places as a vital agricultural and food distribution ecosystem.
1xRUN launches Murals in the Market festival, transforming Eastern Market into one of North America's top public mural destinations.
Eastern Market Partnership launches expanded cold-storage food hubs and year-round Sunday artisan markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eastern Market in Detroit?
Eastern Market is a historic 43-acre food district and public market east of downtown Detroit, operating six massive sheds with produce vendors, butchers, flower growers, and specialty food shops.
When is Saturday Market at Eastern Market?
The world-famous Saturday Market operates year-round every Saturday from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM, drawing over 40,000 visitors to shop local farms and artisanal goods.
What is Murals in the Market?
Murals in the Market is an annual public art festival produced by 1xRUN that has brought over 150 international and Detroit muralists to paint large-scale street art across Eastern Market buildings.