Eastern Market After Dark returns after 2-year hiatus

DETROIT – Eastern Market After Dark returned to Detroit after a two-year hiatus due to COVID.

The signature event took over the sheds Thursday night on Russell Street, and it was definitely a party.

“Eastern Market After Dark is when the nation’s oldest open-air market turns into a nighttime design district,” said co-Executive Director of Design Core Detroit Kiana Wenzell.

“I’ve already made my way to three different sheds,” said another woman.

“The people were enjoying themselves, and I am enjoying the people,” said Alexis Wallace.

Read: Eastern Market After Dark returns after 2 years

When it comes to celebrating Detroit design, Eastern Market After Dark is something you just can’t beat.

“So this is an amazing opportunity to get out to the city, be around people, and really have my baby son get exposed to all the culture of Detroit,” a woman said.

The event is great for the artists and the vendors, as this is one of their biggest sales days over the last two years.

“When you talk about the economic impact of events, public programs, tourism, attractions, showcasing our talent, that’s really what this event is all about,” Wenzell said.

“Style is what you create, and fashion is what you buy,” Wallace said.

Wallace is an avid thrift shopper and went to work during COVID to find the inventory, and now she has her own boutique.

“It’s very important for small businesses, people that created something out of COVID, and gives the community a time to come out and celebrate with us,” Wallace said.

Many unique businesses were in attendance, but they’ve cleared out, with the party ending around 11 p.m.

And if you’re wondering how successful it was Thursday night, one of the coolest, hippest guys we know, Local 4 Digital Editor Ken Haddad, tweeted that Eastern Market After Dark is too popular these days.