New Eastern Market Food Hall Brings 15 Local Vendors Under One Roof

A restored warehouse on Russell Street is about to transform how Detroiters experience Eastern Market cuisine, with the opening of The Shed, a 12,000-square-foot food hall that brings together 15 of the neighborhood’s most ambitious food entrepreneurs under a single industrial roof.

The Shed opens to the public on March 22, marking a significant moment for Eastern Market’s ongoing evolution as a destination for independent food vendors and entrepreneurs. The food hall consolidates vendors who previously operated from scattered storefronts, pop-up locations, and farmers market stalls across the neighborhood.

A Home for Entrepreneurship

The project emerged from conversations between neighborhood developer Marcus Washington and a coalition of local food vendors who struggled with rising rents and inconsistent foot traffic. Washington purchased the former manufacturing building in 2024 and spent eighteen months renovating the space to accommodate both established vendors and newcomers to the food business.

“Eastern Market has always been about access and community,” Washington said during a recent walkthrough of the nearly completed space. “We wanted to create an environment where someone with a great recipe and a dream could actually build a sustainable business.”

The vendors range from established names like Sweetgrass Bakery, known for sourdough breads, to newer concepts including a Vietnamese sandwich shop run by Linh Tran and her mother, Hue Tran. The stall operators pay between $1,200 and $2,500 monthly, significantly less than traditional retail rents in the neighborhood.

The Vendor Lineup

The mix reflects Eastern Market’s diverse food culture. Sweetgrass Bakery occupies a 400-square-foot stall with its own small oven. Vietnamese Street Eats offers banh mi and pho. Gilmore’s Soul Food brings fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese. Detoxify Juice Bar provides cold-pressed juices and smoothie bowls. Three Indian food vendors will operate separate stalls, each offering different regional cuisines from their home states.

Other vendors include Smokestack BBQ, Maria’s Tamales, Crème Glacé ice cream, The Pretzel Company, Spicy Mami’s hot sauce and preserved goods stand, Good Earth Coffee Roasters, Charred Pizza, Maple & Stone dessert café, and Two Hands Pasta.

Linh Tran said the food hall solved her biggest problem as a vendor. “Before, I was doing the farmers market twice a week and a pop-up on weekends,” she explained. “It was exhausting, and I could barely keep up with demand. Here, I have a permanent location with foot traffic built in.”

Shared Infrastructure and Community Space

The Shed includes a 2,000-square-foot communal seating area with reclaimed wood tables and metal chairs. Large windows along Russell Street provide visibility from the sidewalk. A central bar area lets vendors collaborate on special events and collaborative meals.

The building features industrial-grade ventilation systems, separate utility lines for each vendor, and a shared commissary kitchen in the back. Washing stations, storage areas, and office space are available to all vendors. Three restroom facilities serve customers and staff.

Washington included business support services as part of the project. The Shed offers subsidized accounting assistance, marketing consultation, and networking opportunities through weekly vendor meetings. A small business advisor from the Detroit Development Collective will maintain an office in the building.

Challenges and Community Response

The project faced initial opposition from some longtime Eastern Market merchants who worried the food hall would draw customers away from individual storefronts. The Eastern Market Corporation, the neighborhood’s primary business organization, eventually endorsed the project after negotiations about parking and coordination.

“We see The Shed as additive, not competitive,” said Eastern Market Corporation Executive Director Jennifer Palmer. “It brings new customers to the neighborhood who might not have visited before, and those customers often explore other businesses while they’re here.”

Neighborhood resident groups have responded positively. The Midtown Detroit Collaboration Council and the Eastern Market Business Association both supported the development. Local Councilwoman Angela Whitfield attended the recent soft opening, calling it a model for inclusive economic development.

Operational Plans

The Shed will operate Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with extended hours on weekends. Vendors can set their own hours within the facility’s operating schedule. The food hall accepts cash, cards, and mobile payments at both individual vendor stalls and a central ordering system.

Washington plans to host monthly special events featuring collaborative dinners, live music, and vendor spotlights. A rotating section of the food hall will showcase visiting pop-up vendors and seasonal food businesses.

The opening comes as Eastern Market strengthens its reputation as Detroit’s premier food and agricultural destination. The neighborhood attracts thousands of residents and tourists weekly to its produce markets and restaurants. The Shed represents the next chapter in that evolution, creating a permanent home for the entrepreneurs and food artisans that drive the neighborhood’s culinary identity.

The Shed opens March 22 at 2445 Russell Street in Eastern Market.