Eastern Market- Russell Street

Today we are taking a good friend of ours for her first visit to Eastern Market.  She's a hunting widow this weekend (Hubby and kids are out in western MI hunting Turkeys)  I am very excited because, I don't think she has been downtown since moving here from Germany ten years ago.  Jeanne and I love when we get the chance to be Detroit ambassadors.  Last weekend we had Lynn and Dale (sister-in-law and her husband)  in town and we did the same.  They loved the city.  So many people, here and out of state, have such an awful idea of Detroit.  I guess I can't blame them when you see how the National news portrays this area.  It's not until they come and see first hand that they realize how amazing the city can be.

So, today we take Heike down to the "D", to Eastern Market!  It's hard to believe that just 40 minutes from my front door is this Detroit gem. Going down on a Saturday morning is one of my favorite weekend activities.  It's far and away the best farmer's market in the area.  Not only do you have all the small farms from the surrounding area with their organic offerings, but all the wholesale vendors open their doors to the general public.  So, whether you're looking for those rare mushrooms, organic baby greens, smoked meats, artisan cheeses, or the candy you remember as a kid; it's there.  Some weeks we have even found live rabbits for the picking. (I never had the heart to whack Bun-bun) Every year one of my friends gets his Thanksgiving turkey at one of the shops around the corner from the Market that lets you pick a live bird as it walks around the yard, then you come back in an hour or so and it's been butchered.  It's so cool, it's reminiscent of the markets we found in Europe and literally right here in our backyard.

Most weeks in addition to the fruits and vegetables half the market is dedicated to flowers, plants, small shrubs and trees.  We have even gotten our Christmas tree there.  In May around Mother's Day, to celebrate the spring, the Market is absolutely teeming with every type of flower you can name and many I've never heard of.

I can't forget to mention the open pit barbecue on Russell St. which serves up some mean 'Que every weekend with tables right on the street and karaoke going next to it.  The smoke from the barbecue and the sounds of the music waft around parts of the Market adding to the uniqueness of the scene.

Needless to say I can't wait, is it 9 o'clock yet, lets go!