Eastern Market Vendor Guide: Selling Baked Goods in Detroit, Michigan

Complete vendor guide for Eastern Market in Detroit. Get details on booth costs, insurance requirements, Michigan baking regulations, and insider tips for thriving at this Year-round market.

From Oven to Income: A Baker's Guide to Success at Eastern Market

"Why Eastern Market is Your Ticket to Baking Success"

There's something magical about Eastern Market in Detroit. As Michigan's largest historic public market district operating since 1891, it's not just a place to sell your baked goods—it's a community, a tradition, and an opportunity that could transform your home baking passion into a thriving side business or even a full-time career. I've been selling my baked goods at Eastern Market for years now, and I'm excited to share exactly how you can do it too!

When you set up at Eastern Market, you're not just getting a booth—you're joining a 43-acre vibrant marketplace that attracts up to 40,000 visitors on peak Saturdays. That's 40,000 potential customers walking past your cookies, breads, and pastries! With over 225 vendors across various market days, you'll be part of a diverse community that Detroit residents trust and love.

"Eastern Market Schedule: When to Sell Your Goodies"

One of Eastern Market's greatest advantages is its year-round operation. Here's when you can sell:

• Saturday Market: 6am-4pm year-round (the biggest day with the most foot traffic) • Sunday Street Market: 10am-4pm June-September (more laid-back, great for beginners) • Tuesday Market: 9am-3pm June-September (smaller crowd, loyal customers) • Thursday Night Market: 5pm-10pm (seasonal, fantastic evening vibe)

I've found that Saturdays offer the highest sales potential, but don't overlook the other days. Tuesday markets often attract serious food enthusiasts looking for quality baked goods, while the Thursday evening markets bring in a younger crowd eager to try unique treats.

"Michigan Cottage Food Law: What You Need to Know"

Before you start selling those famous family recipe cookies, let's talk legal stuff. Michigan's Cottage Food Law allows you to sell non-potentially hazardous foods made in your home kitchen without requiring special licensing—but there are important limits:

• Maximum annual revenue: $25,000 (track your sales carefully!) • No permits or registration required (a major plus!) • Allowed products include: breads, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and most baked goods • Prohibited items: anything requiring refrigeration, custard pies, cream-filled items, meringue-topped pies

The $25,000 revenue cap might sound limiting, but it's actually plenty to test the waters and establish a solid customer base before deciding if you want to scale up to a commercial operation. I started with just Saturday markets and hit about $18,000 my first year—not bad for a weekend side hustle!

"Getting Started: Application and Requirements"

Ready to claim your spot? Here's how to apply:

  1. Visit the official vendor application page at https://www.easternmarket.org
  2. Review the fee structure: Saturday Markets run $35-$45 for a standard 10'x10' stall
  3. Prepare proof of insurance—all food vendors must have minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance with Eastern Market Partnership named as additional insured
  4. Submit your application well in advance, especially for Saturday markets (competition for spaces is fierce!)

Pro tip: If you're new, consider starting with a Sunday or Tuesday market first. It's easier to get accepted, setup is less hectic, and you'll have more time to interact with customers and perfect your operation before tackling the busy Saturday crowds.

"Setting Up for Success at Eastern Market"

Your booth is your storefront, so make it count! Eastern Market customers respond best to:

• Clear signage that's visible from 10 feet away • Elevated displays (I use wooden crates turned upside down and covered with cute fabric) • Sample bites (seriously, this can double your sales) • Packaging that's both practical and Instagram-worthy • A simple menu board with prices clearly displayed

Accept multiple payment methods—Square, Venmo, and cash are essentials. I've found that having contactless payment options increased my average sale by about 15%. And don't forget to bring at least $100 in small bills for change.

For product selection, start with 3-4 signature items rather than overwhelming yourself with variety. My best sellers have consistently been seasonal fruit hand pies, Detroit-style butter cookies, and anything with Michigan cherries or apples when in season.

"Required Labels and Compliance"

Every product you sell must be properly labeled according to Michigan Cottage Food Law requirements:

• Your name and complete home address • The name of your product • Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight • Net weight or volume • Allergen information • The statement: "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development"

Here's a quick label template:

DETROIT DELIGHTS BAKERY
123 Baker Street, Detroit, MI 48201
MICHIGAN CHERRY COOKIES
Ingredients: Flour, butter, sugar, dried Michigan cherries, eggs, vanilla, salt
Contains: Wheat, dairy, eggs
Net Weight: 8 oz (226g)
Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

"Tips from Experienced Eastern Market Vendors"

After years at Eastern Market, here's what I've learned:

• Arrive EARLY. Saturday setup starts at 5am, and you'll want time to arrange everything perfectly. • Weather-proof your setup. Michigan weather is unpredictable—bring weights for your tent and plastic covers for your products. • Build connections with other vendors. They'll watch your booth when you need a quick break and become valuable resources. • Create a seasonal rotation. Detroit customers love when you incorporate seasonal Michigan produce into your baked goods. • Collect emails for a newsletter. My email list customers now generate 25% of my weekly income through pre-orders.

"Next Steps and Resources"

Ready to turn your baking passion into profit at Eastern Market? Here's your checklist:

  1. Review Michigan Cottage Food Law requirements
  2. Calculate your startup costs and pricing (the free calculator at https://endvr.app/endvr-calc?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=farmers-market-guide is perfect for this)
  3. Create compliant labels and packaging
  4. Apply for your vendor spot at Eastern Market
  5. Purchase required insurance
  6. Plan your menu, focusing on what makes your baked goods unique

For questions about vendor opportunities, email vendorinfo@easternmarket.org directly. They're incredibly helpful and want to see new vendors succeed.

Eastern Market isn't just a place to sell—it's a community that could become the foundation of your baking business. The regular customers who'll line up for your signature sourdough or those special caramel brownies? They're waiting to discover you. So heat up that oven, perfect those recipes, and I'll see you at the market!

Start Taking Orders Today

Now that you know how to sell at the market, it's time to expand beyond just market days. The most successful cottage food bakers take orders online and at markets.

Here's why:

Get Your Free Online Store

Create your free Endvr store →

What you get: ✓ Professional online storefront ✓ Automatic cottage food labels ✓ Payment processing (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) ✓ Revenue tracking ✓ Customer management ✓ No monthly fees, ever

Used by cottage food bakers across the country

"I set up my Endvr store in 10 minutes. Now I take pre-orders during the week and just bring everything to the market on Saturday. Game changer." — Sarah M., Michigan Baker

Get started free →

Or calculate your pricing first: Try our free cottage food pricing calculator to make sure you're charging enough to actually make a profit.