Corktown Farmers Market to celebrate grand opening May 21

Following a successful soft opening, the Corktown Farmers Market is celebrating its official grand opening from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. The market is adjacent to the Detroit Institute of Bagels, on the corner of the Lodge service drive and Michigan Avenue.

The bagel shop, a finalist during the 2011 Hatch Detroit Contest, was recently the recipient of a grant from the Hatch Detroit Alumni Program, funded in partnership with the Detroit Lions. That grant was used to fund the construction of the newly completed patio that the Corktown Farmers Market will utilize.

“It’s a neighborhood market for people who want local produce and a great place to bump into friends while eating outside at Detroit Institute of Bagels, PJ’s Lager House, or Brooklyn Street Local. It’s also really convenient for folks commuting home from downtown,” says Greg Willerer of Brother Nature Produce, one of the market partners.

So far there are 16 vendors signed up for the market, ranging from local food-producing gardens to well-established restaurants. Vendors include ACRE, Brother Nature Produce, Detroit Institute of Bagels, the Blu Kitchen, Brooklyn Street Local, Detroit Food Academy, Detroit Marshmallow Co., Food Field, Fresh Cut Flower Farm, Gold Cash Gold, Jane’s Soups and Chili, Labrosse Farm, Motor City Soap, Rising Pheasant Farms, St. Gall, and What Up Dough.

Many of the vendors are based in either Corktown or North Corktown. Organizers are hailing the market as a return of farm fresh produce to Corktown. It’s near the old Western Market location, bulldozed 50 years ago to make way for the Fisher Freeway.

Detroit Institute of Bagels is located at 1236 Michigan Ave. The Corktown Farmers Market occurs every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and runs through October.

Writer: MJ Galbraith

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