Detroit Eastern Market
Part One
For those who are not familiar with the Eastern Market, it is a historic commercial district located just east of downtown Detroit. The Eastern Market has been in it's current location since the 1850's. The main section of the market contains both open and enclosed pavilions where regional farmers, butchers and budding product entrepreneurs can sell their products. As a side note, Detroit also had a Central and Western Market, however, both have been closed for several decades.
The pavilions are open year round, but are most active during the spring through fall months on Saturdays. Besides the pavilions, there are several restaurants, bars, butcher shops, fish markets and special product stores in the general walking distance area. One can spend several hours exploring the Eastern Market and discovering interesting sites and things to purchase. Visit the Eastern Market website to view their calendar of events.
This post is part one of several future posts focusing on the Eastern Market area. Note that one of my earlier posts was on Supino's Pizza which is located on the western edge of the market. I will provide more Eastern Market stores/shops/attractions in future posts. Here are my first two local Eastern Market attractions.
Signal - Return
1345 Division St.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-8970
Signal Return is a printing shop that offers, to anyone interested, workshops for the learning of printing and typography methods. After completing two of their classes one has the opportunity to enroll in open studio time at Signal Return and start work on your own printing projects; business cards, posters, invitations, etc.
When I visit the Eastern Market, I often walk over to Signal Return to see what type of printed material they have for sale. Several of the available printed artwork has a Detroit theme to it and in my opinion, they are very well done. I especially like their Eastern Market and Masonic Temple posters. This past Saturday, when I last visited, they had for sale a cool poster featuring the early '60's Detroit Tiger head logo. Over the last several months, I have purchased various Detroit themed post cards and coasters from Signal Return that I have framed and displayed in my man cave.
If one is visiting the Eastern Market, take a stroll over to Signal Return on Division Street. One may find something of interest to purchase or even be enticed into signing up for one of their workshop classes.
The Detroit Mercantile Company
3434 Russell Street
Detroit, MI
(313) 831 - 9000
Detroit Mercantile Company is a store on the northern edge of the Eastern Market that specializes in products about or made in Detroit. DMC offers apparel, t-shirts, artwork, food products for sale from local companies such as Carhartt, Detroit Denim, and Better Made Potato Chips :).
I liked their large variety of photo books that feature the architecture of Detroit as well as Detroit history. Detroit Mercantile has a good selection of locally themed t-shirts and outer ware some which include the logos of the early 20th century Detroit breweries and the old Tiger Stadium/Briggs Stadium/Navin Field. I'm going to need to buy an Auto City Brewing Company t-shirt. While I was there, I had to pick up some of their line of vintage Detroit postcards.
Saturday was the first time my wife and I visited Detroit Mercantile Company and it won't be our last as we plan to return in the near future to purchase more of their products. The Detroit Mercantile Company is a short walk up Russell from the Eastern Market pavilions. I recommend visiting DMC and looking over their Detroit themed products. You may just find something that perks your interest.