Detroit's Historic Eastern Market: Serving the metro area at the same location since 1891
 

By Ed Deeb - Founder, Friends of Eastern Market, and Michigan Food and Beverage Association

DETROIT, MI (Tell Us Det) The Detroit Farmer’s Market is celebrating its 206th birthday in 2013. The first 39 years it was located at the foot of Woodward at the Detroit River, before moving to Cadillac Square in 1841. Then in 1891 the Farmer’s Market was re-named Eastern Market and has been at its current location for 123 years. From the horse-drawn carts to the present semi-trailer trucks, farmers have annually hauled thousands of tons of fresh produce to Detroit's Eastern Market area for re-sale to wholesalers, retailers and the general public. The figure is estimated to be over 70,000 tons a year.

Today, on any given Saturday, more than 45,000 Detroiters, suburbanites and out-of-staters can be found shopping elbow-to-elbow at farmers' stalls or area retail shops for products from as near as Michigan, Ohio and Canadian farms to as far as the European, Middle East, Asian and South American farming areas.

Historic Eastern Market area is not only known for its luscious, colorful farm fresh fruits and vegetables, but also for the meat products (beef, pork, lamb, poultry, geese, ducks and rabbits), and for the herbs and spices, nuts, candies and a variety of condiments supplied by retailers and wholesalers. A variety of fresh fish and seafood is also available.

Most people are unaware most of the businesses are open six days a week. The public farmers market in the sheds are open mainly on Saturdays, and on special days in the summer months. (Special Market days are: Sunday Street Market, June-Sept.), Tuesday Market (June-Oct.), and Gratiot Central Market (Monday-Sat.) The annual Flower Day is held at Eastern Market each year, offering bedding plants, flowers, shrubs, evergreens, etc. It is recognized as the world’s largest bedding flower market, held in May the Sunday after Mother’s Day. Eastern Market Merchants Assn. (EMMA) was asked by the Flower Growers Association to assist them in promoting the annual colorful Flower Day event. EMMA added several new items and other products to enhance customer choices.

The Eastern Market means "family," as several generations have shopped together, bringing their children to see the market, its wares and the farm animals when available. It is also a people watcher's delight. Rich and poor, old and young browse and actually bargain old-world style for what suits their interests, absorbing the sights and sounds, color and excitement of the Eastern Market area. Many couples and families make an "outing" out of shopping here, arriving before 7 a.m., having breakfast at one of the area's restaurants, then spending the morning shopping for their weekly needs.

Built on the site of an early hay and wood market, Eastern Market area was one of three markets founded in the early days. The farmers market portion moved to the present Eastern Market area site in 1891 from the old Cadillac Square area, 1841. The Western Market was closed in 1965. Chene-Ferry Market was closed in 1990.

Although an open-air farmers' market existed prior to the Civil War, the first sales shed was built in l89l in the Vernor, Russell, Gratiot area, amid several other food establishments which had already located in the area. As the market area prospered, additional sheds were constructed in 1922 and 1929. Through the post-Depression era, the Eastern Market area grew, expanding in size and logging record truckloads of farm products and other items as well, including beverages, and unique retail merchandise.

When Ford Field was about to open, officials called and told me they were unable to hold tailgate parties on the streets. EMMA and MFBA was asked to work out an arrangement with them so Lions fans can park and tailgate at Eastern Market in designated areas. So we arranged a meeting with City officials to approve tailgating at the Market.

There were four historic events that took place that helped shaped Eastern Market to the present day. The first was the end of World War II when our servicemen victoriously came home, settled down, getting married and having a family. At the same time, pre-packaged foods and the beginning of the modern supermarkets, shoppers changed the way they shop being able to get everything in one store. To save time, people did not have to travel a distance to the Eastern Market or any farmers market, and thus there was a notable decline in the number of shoppers. Several of the farmers, vendors and retailers were concerned.

The second was when various businesses at Eastern Market decided they needed to create events and other activities to draw the people back to the Eastern Market. Since I was leader of the State’s largest food industry association, I was personally contacted by the Eastern Market merchants to create a new association to help draw people back to the Market and better communicate with government officials. Thus Eastern Market Merchants Association (EMMA) was formed in 1972. (Ed Deeb, founder, was elected chairman and CEO, and Sal Ciaramitaro was elected president. EMMA board members included Jim Vitale, Gerry Fermanis, John Vivio, Tim McCarthy, and Tom DeVries, Sr.) Eastern Market developed into an important hub for the southeastern Michigan food distribution industry. Plans called to make it bigger, better and more efficient for the future.

The organization began planning parades down Russell Street with the Shriners and Knights of Columbus. They also invited Gospel singers to the Market to put on concerts, and even had a Gospelfest contest with several churches. They also planned special product promotions and had several cooking classes in Shed 5 at the Market with special community events. And began the annual “Blessing of the Harvest” event each Fall. In 1966 the annual Flower Day event was launched.

The third historic event was when the association and several members appealed to City officials to allow them to form a non-profit corporation to operate Eastern Market themselves. After several meetings the City agreed to give the new Eastern Market Corporation authority to operate the Market for five years to demonstrate they were able to improve Eastern Market area professionally. At the same time in 2006 the Eastern Market Corporation was formed. (Founders of the Eastern Market Corporation were Walt Watkins, Ed Deeb, George Jackson, Kate Beebe, and J. Kuspa.)

The Eastern Market Corporation hired Dan Carmody who came to Detroit from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. As a result, several companies, community organizations, and foundations began channeling needed finances to the Eastern Market through the new Corporation and allowing it to renovate sheds and spruce up the Market. This was well received by the community, farmers, and vendors. Thus more people come to the Market today than ever before. Eastern Market developed into an important hub for the southeastern Michigan food distribution industry. Plans are to make it bigger, better and more efficient for the future.

Since the non-profit EMC was formed in 2006, several millions of dollars were donated to improve the Market area. Various foundations indicated they preferred to donate to a 501-c-3 corporation directly rather than a government agency (city).

Eastern Market was declared an historic area in 1977 by the State of Michigan Historical Commission. Many of the original buildings are still in operation or standing today.

HISTORIC POINTS OF INTEREST INCLUDE:
- Sacred Heart Church, Rivard at Eliot, built for the German immigrants in 1875.
- Roma Cafe, 3401 Riopelle, oldest restaurant in Detroit
- R. Hirt, Jr. Co. and DeVries & Co., 2468 Market St., family-owned and operated since 1885.
- Ciaramitaro Bros. Produce building, 2506 Market St., built in 1885 (now Andy’s Meat Market)
- Vivio's Restaurant, 2460 Market St.
- Butchers Saloon, 1489 Winder St.
- Cost Plus Wine Shop building, 2448 Market St.
- Gratiot Central Market, 1429 Gratiot Ave., was designed by Smith, Hinchman and Grylls in 1915. (Building was destroyed by fire in June, 1995 and re-opened in 1999.)

The fourth interesting phase began in 2008 when Shed 2 was completely renovated. Shortly thereafter Shed 3 was completely renovated and used also to hold events and activity.

In 2013, work began on Shed 5. It will be transformed into a State of the Art facility. It will host cooking classes, food festivals and a community kitchen, among other amenities.

Other interesting tidbits include the fact that Generals Ulysses S. Grant, George Custer and John J. Pershing were headquartered in the area and marched troops up and down the area where the Eastern Market is presently located.

In addition, parts of the Underground Railroad went from the Eastern Market to the Detroit River where escaping slaves were able to make safe haven to Canada. Also, part of an ancient American Indian burial ground was located in the area, and later relocated to a nearby cemetery.

The Eastern Market area is the site of a summer full of special events, and throughout the year. In 2011 the Market began a successful Tuesday market with farmers in addition to Saturdays. In addition, several movies were filmed at Eastern Market, including “Presumed Innocent” starring Harrison Ford and Brian Dennehy and “Collision Course” with Jay Leno and Pat Morita.

For more information on the historic Eastern Market area, feel free to contact Ed Deeb, phone (586) 393-8801, Fax (586) 393-8804.