DETROIT / Shopping / ¼
What should you bring home from Detroit?
In Detroit the stars aren't the global chains, it's the stuff invented here: watches, tough-as-nails workwear, jewelry cut from fallen graffiti and shoes stitched from car leather. Here are the shops, the market, the neighborhoods and what's open on Sunday.
- the year Carhartt was founded in Detroit
- 1889
- the year Henry the Hatter opened
- 1893
- stores at Somerset Collection
- 180+
- sales tax, added at the register
- 6%
© Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0
Which brands are truly Detroit?
Founded or made here, with shops right in town.
Shinola
Launched in Detroit in 2011 to bring watchmaking back to the US. At the West Canfield flagship you can try on watches, browse leather bags, get engraving done on the spot and grab a coffee.
Carhartt
Hamilton Carhartt founded it in Detroit in 1889. The Cass Avenue flagship fills a 1928 Art Deco car showroom where a young Preston Tucker once sold Dodges.
Pingree Detroit
A worker-owned co-op where veterans and Detroiters make shoes, bags and wallets from leather, vinyl and seat belts salvaged from the auto world. At the Columbia Street shop you can watch them work.
Rebel Nell
Jewelry cut from layers of fallen graffiti, made by women rebuilding their lives. At the downtown shop, a 30-minute session lets you design your own ring or necklace.
The Lip Bar
Melissa Butler's kitchen-mixed lipsticks grew into a vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand. The flagship on Woodward has a brow bar and one-on-one makeup lessons.
Third Man Records
Jack White's record store in the Cass Corridor, with the Third Man Pressing vinyl plant behind glass. It opened in November 2015.
Detroit vs. Everybody
Tommey Walker's clothing-line slogan became the city's battle cry, and the title of Eminem's 2014 posse cut.
Edible souvenirs
Vernors ginger ale (since 1866), Sanders chocolates (since 1875), Faygo pop (since 1907) and Better Made chips (since 1930): all born in Detroit, all suitcase-friendly.
Where should you shop for the real Detroit?
Twelve shops where your money stays in town: local brands, century-old family businesses and a slice of Polish Hamtramck.
Shinola Canfield StoreMidtownShinola's Detroit flagship on West Canfield in Midtown: watches, leather goods, engraving on the spot and a cafe inside.- Carhartt Detroit Flagship StoreDetroit – MidtownAn Art Deco 1928 car showroom on Cass Avenue where Preston Tucker once sold Dodges, now the flagship store of Detroit-born workwear brand Carhartt.
- Pingree DetroitThe District DetroitWorker-owned Detroit maker turning upcycled auto leather into shoes, bags and accessories, with a District Detroit shop where you can watch them work.
Rebel NellDowntownJewelry cut from fallen Detroit graffiti, made by women rebuilding their lives. At the Parker's Alley shop you can design your own piece.
The Lip BarDowntownDowntown flagship of Detroit's own vegan beauty brand on Woodward, with color try-ons, makeup services and a brow bar.
City BirdMidtownA West Canfield gift shop packed with its own Detroit- and Michigan-themed goods, 500+ cards and work by 200+ regional makers.
Henry the Hatter – Eastern MarketEastern MarketDetroit's hat shop since 1893, now in Eastern Market: fedoras, homburgs, caps and expert cleaning and blocking.
Hot Sam's DetroitDowntownDowntown Detroit haberdashery since 1921: sharp suits, hats and true Detroit style, with an in-house tailor.- DeVries & Co.Eastern MarketA family specialty food shop in Eastern Market since 1887: cheeses from 14 countries, Michigan-made goods and a working 1904 freight elevator.
Germack Pistachio & Coffee Roasting Co.Eastern MarketEastern Market family roaster since 1924: fresh pistachios and nuts, a coffee bar with house-roasted beans, plus teas and spices.- Polish Art CenterHamtramckFamily-run Polish import shop on Joseph Campau since 1958, packed with amber, pottery, folk art, Easter eggs and Polish treats.
- Neighbor x FolkCorktown / Michigan CentralModern sundry shop and community space inside the restored Michigan Central Station, stocked with local and minority-owned brands.
How do you do Eastern Market on a Saturday?
The Saturday market runs year-round from 6 AM to 4 PM. The market calls itself the nation's largest historic public market, and with the shops around it, it's easily worth a whole morning.
Come early
The market opens at 6 AM. Early on, the stalls are full and the aisles between the sheds are calmer.
Read more ↗Walk the sheds
The historic market sheds are packed with growers, flower sellers and food stands. Even if you're not buying, one lap is worth it for the atmosphere.
Taste your way through the old shops
DeVries & Co. has sold cheese since 1887, with picks from 14 countries; Germack has roasted pistachios since 1924 and runs a coffee bar too.
Read more ↗Buy a hat
Henry the Hatter has sold hats since 1893, including the homburg Eisenhower wore to his inauguration; it's been on Riopelle Street since 2017.
Read more ↗Dig through vintage and antiques
Vintage Eastern Market is on Division Street, and Marketplace Antique Gallery on Gratiot opens Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Read more ↗Go mural hunting
The district is full of murals and old industrial buildings, so take a lap around the blocks after the market.
Walk down to the river
The Dequindre Cut, a sunken former rail line, takes you nearly two miles past graffiti from Eastern Market down to the Riverwalk.
Read more ↗
Which neighborhood is good for what?
| District | What you'll find | Getting there | On our site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown: Woodward and Library Street | Nike, lululemon, H&M, Warby Parker and the ground-floor shops of the new Hudson's Detroit building on Woodward; Gucci and Le Labo on Library Street; Rebel Nell and The Aroma Labs scent studio under one roof on Farmer Street. | On foot, People Mover or QLINE | /directory/ |
| Midtown: West Canfield and Cass Avenue | Shinola, City Bird and Third Man Records side by side on West Canfield; the Carhartt flagship on Cass Avenue. | QLINE to the Canfield stop | /qline/ |
| Eastern Market | A year-round Saturday market plus old family shops: hats, cheese, pistachios, vintage and antiques. | Walk from downtown, or up the Dequindre Cut from the riverfront | /itineraries/?trip=eastern-market-saturday |
| Corktown and Michigan Central | Neighbor x Folk inside the restored Michigan Central Station, stocked with local and minority-owned brands; on the downtown edge, John K. King's multilevel used bookstore. | A short drive or bus ride from downtown | /itineraries/?trip=corktown-day |
| Avenue of Fashion (Livernois between 7 Mile and 8 Mile) | Local boutiques, custom tailors, men's shoe shops, a made-to-measure fur and leather studio and galleries of African American art. | By car, northwest of downtown | /directory/ |
| Mexicantown (Bagley Street) | Xochi's has sold Mexican folk art and silver jewelry since 1985, with Latin grocery stores next door. | By car, or up the Southwest Greenway from the riverfront | /place/?slug=xochis-gift-shop |
| Hamtramck (Joseph Campau Avenue) | Polish imports at the Polish Art Center since 1958 and rock 'n' roll threads at Showtime, between Polish bakeries and Yemeni cafés. | By car or bus, 4.5 miles north | /metro-detroit/hamtramck/ |
| Ferndale (9 Mile and Woodward) | The Rust Belt Market's weekend maker hall, with 30-plus independent shops, many of them queer-owned. | By car up Woodward, 10 miles | /metro-detroit/ferndale/ |
| Royal Oak (Main Street and Washington Avenue) | Sidetrack, an independent bookstore, Michigan-made gift shops, then bars and music venues. | By car up Woodward, 13 miles | /metro-detroit/royal-oak/ |
| Birmingham (Old Woodward) | Nearly 300 shops, boutiques, galleries and movie theaters in a walkable downtown built around Shain Park. | By car, 17 miles northwest | /metro-detroit/birmingham/ |
| Troy (Big Beaver Road) | Somerset Collection: Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's and 180-plus stores, with a glassed-in skywalk between its two buildings. | By car via I-75 | /metro-detroit/troy/ |
Where do you dig for books, vinyl and vintage?
The city of Motown and techno still presses vinyl, and it has a used bookstore the size of a factory. Bring an empty bag.
John K. King Used & Rare BooksDowntownA former factory filled with books, inviting shelf-by-shelf discovery in Detroit.- Third Man Records Cass CorridorMidtown (Cass Corridor / W Canfield)Jack White's Third Man Records store on West Canfield Street in the Cass Corridor, with a small stage for periodic in-store performances.
- Melodies & MemoriesEastpointeA record store on Gratiot Avenue in Eastpointe where three generations of Detroit DJs got their start, now home to the historic Golden World Records clock.
- Sidetrack BookshopRoyal OakA proudly LGBTQ-owned independent bookstore in downtown Royal Oak with a big queer section, a kids' shop and Drag Queen Story Hour.
- Vintage Eastern MarketEastern MarketVintage shop on Division Street in Eastern Market, a fun detour when you're done at the market and still feel like digging.
- Marketplace Antique GalleryEastern MarketAntique shop on Gratiot at the edge of Eastern Market, open on Saturday market days for a bit of treasure hunting.
- Showtime Clothing (Rock 'n' Shop)Downtown HamtramckDetroit's long-running rock 'n' roll clothing and accessories store, now in downtown Hamtramck, with a free monthly in-store concert.
SpectaclesDowntownZana Smith's Harmonie Park boutique since 1984: standout clothing, accessories, books and music for people who like to be noticed.- DuMouchellesDowntownDetroit's family-run auction house since 1927, in an Albert Kahn building on Jefferson: monthly sales of fine art, jewelry and estates.
Mall day or suburban main street?
The big malls ring the city and are easiest by car. All three are open Sundays: Somerset Collection noon to 6 PM, Twelve Oaks and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets 11 AM to 6 PM.
Somerset CollectionTroyTroy's luxury mall with Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Macy's, 180-plus shops, and a glassed-in Skywalk over Big Beaver Road.- Great Lakes Crossing OutletsAuburn HillsMichigan's biggest outlet mall, in Auburn Hills: about 185 stores plus LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Sea Life, an AMC theater and Round1.
- Twelve Oaks MallNoviNovi's big enclosed mall off I-96, with Macy's, Nordstrom, JCPenney, Primark, Round1 and 185-plus stores under one roof.
The Mall at Partridge CreekClinton TownshipOpen-air shopping center in Clinton Township with 80+ stores and restaurants, an MJR cinema, a big outdoor fireplace and dog-friendly walkways.
Downtown RochesterRochesterRochester's walkable Oakland County downtown: 400+ mostly independent shops, restaurants and services, plus parks and trails.
The Rust Belt MarketFerndaleA weekend artisan market in a former big-box store in Ferndale, with about 30 independent shops, many queer-owned, plus a bar and event space.
Sundays, tax and opening hours: what should you know?
6 percent at the register
Shelf prices are before tax; Michigan's 6 percent sales tax is added when you pay. In Hungary the 27 percent VAT is already in the price, so do the math here.
Same rate across Michigan
Local governments can't add their own sales tax, so it's 6 percent in Troy and downtown alike. Groceries are exempt; restaurant meals aren't.
Sunday at the mall
Somerset Collection: Sundays noon to 6 PM. Twelve Oaks and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets: Sundays 11 AM to 6 PM. On weekdays all three open at 10 AM.
Saturday is market day
Eastern Market's big day is Saturday, 6 AM to 4 PM, all year. Other market days are seasonal, so check the official calendar.
A concert while you shop
Showtime in Hamtramck throws a free in-store rock 'n' roll show on the last Sunday of every month, 2 to 6 PM.
Small shops keep their own hours
Independent shops set their own hours. Before you head out, check the shop's page here or its own website.
A Sunday pioneer
Sanders was one of the first Detroit businesses to open on Sundays. Today it's famous for its bumpy cake and hot fudge cream puffs.
More shops from our Detroit A–Z
A fresh pick from all the shops in our directory, from hatters to florists.
DIA ShopMidtownThe Detroit Institute of Arts' museum store: Diego Rivera puzzles, art books, prints, jewelry and Detroit-made gifts.
Divine Grace & Lace Bridal BoutiqueBellevilleA sister-run, veteran-owned bridal boutique on Belleville's Main Street with unhurried 90-minute fittings and in-house alterations.- Downtown RochesterRochesterRochester's walkable Oakland County downtown: 400+ mostly independent shops, restaurants and services, plus parks and trails.
EMIY ApparelSouthfieldSoutheast Michigan athleisure brand with uplifting tees, hoodies and hats, plus custom printing for teams and events.
English Gardens – Dearborn HeightsDearborn HeightsFamily-owned garden center and full-service florist on Ford Road, handling wedding and event flowers plus plants and patio furniture.
EveryHuman DetroitDowntownMake your own one-of-a-kind perfume with an AI-guided scent machine inside the Hudson's Detroit tower, no appointment needed.- Germack Pistachio & Coffee Roasting Co.Eastern MarketEastern Market family roaster since 1924: fresh pistachios and nuts, a coffee bar with house-roasted beans, plus teas and spices.
- Henry the Hatter – Eastern MarketEastern MarketDetroit's hat shop since 1893, now in Eastern Market: fedoras, homburgs, caps and expert cleaning and blocking.
Heritage Optical – Heritage EastRivertownEast Jefferson location of a Detroit-founded optical chain: eye exams, contact lenses and designer frames.- Hot Sam's DetroitDowntownDowntown Detroit haberdashery since 1921: sharp suits, hats and true Detroit style, with an in-house tailor.
Luxe Redux Bridal DetroitBrush Park / Lower CassBridal shop on Stimson Street selling designer wedding gowns at 20 to 90 percent off, with a personal stylist at every appointment.- Rebel NellDowntownJewelry cut from fallen Detroit graffiti, made by women rebuilding their lives. At the Parker's Alley shop you can design your own piece.
Shopping plans for a day or a weekend
Shop Local Detroit: From Market Sheds to a Vinyl Pressing PlantCheese and hats at Eastern Market, a book factory, jewelry cut from graffiti, a charity Detroit shop, a free Fisher tour, Carhartt, City Bird and Third Man.- Where to shop for the real Detroit in one weekendPistachios, cheese, hats since 1893, graffiti jewelry, Shinola and City Bird, then Polish amber and the Rust Belt Market on Sunday.
- How do you spend a Saturday at Eastern Market?Dawn market, a new mural, a Polish church, soul food and Saturday karaoke, a brewery, a distillery and a butcher bistro: a full Saturday in Detroit's market district.
- What does a fall Saturday at Eastern Market look like?The fall market at dawn, a Dequindre Cut walk to the river, a lighthouse, beer in Rivertown, hot cider at Beacon Park, the Heidelberg Project, then beer and pizza.
Pierogi and Polish Roots: A Saturday in Polish DetroitA Pulaski statue by a Hungarian sculptor, a local history museum, a Polish import shop, Hamtramck's cathedral-size church, pierogi and a modern Polish dinner.
Why does everyone fall for Corktown?One of Detroit's oldest neighborhoods: Irish roots, a reborn train station, an izakaya, local spirits, Neapolitan pizza and a bar since 1902.
What people ask about shopping
What's the best Detroit souvenir?
Want a watch? Shinola. A jacket that lasts forever? Carhartt. On a smaller budget, a Rebel Nell ring, a City Bird card or a bag of Germack pistachios. For edibles, Better Made chips and Sanders chocolate.
Are stores open on Sunday?
The big malls are: Somerset from noon, Twelve Oaks and Great Lakes Crossing from 11 AM, all until 6 PM. For small shops, check the shop's page.
How much sales tax will I pay?
6 percent, added at the register. Groceries are exempt; restaurant food isn't.
Can I go shopping without a car?
Downtown, Midtown and Eastern Market, yes: walk, ride the People Mover or hop the QLINE. For the malls, Ferndale, Royal Oak and Birmingham a car or rideshare is easier, though SMART buses serve the suburbs too.
Where can I find vinyl?
At Third Man Records in the Cass Corridor, where you can watch records being pressed behind glass, and at Melodies & Memories in Eastpointe, where generations of Detroit DJs worked the counter.
What can I take home from Eastern Market if I'm flying?
Things that travel well: roasted pistachios and coffee from Germack, a hat from Henry the Hatter or a vintage find. Before you pack food, check the customs rules for your trip home.
Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-10-01
- Eastern Market – Saturday Market hours ↗
- Somerset Collection – Hours ↗
- Simon – Twelve Oaks hours ↗
- Simon – Great Lakes Crossing Outlets hours ↗
- Michigan Department of Treasury – Sales and use tax ↗
- Wikipedia – Sales taxes in the United States (Michigan) ↗
- Wikipedia – European Union value added tax ↗
- Wikipedia – Livernois Avenue (Avenue of Fashion) ↗
- Wikipedia – Carhartt ↗
- Wikipedia – Faygo ↗
- Wikipedia – Better Made Potato Chips ↗
- Wikipedia – Vernors ↗
- Wikipedia – Sanders Confectionery ↗
- Wikipedia – Detroit vs. Everybody ↗
- Wikipedia – Third Man Records ↗
- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy – Dequindre Cut ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Detroit A–Z shop pages (Shinola, City Bird, Pingree, Rebel Nell, The Lip Bar, DeVries & Co., Germack, Henry the Hatter, Hot Sam's, Polish Art Center, Xochi's, Somerset Collection, Twelve Oaks, Great Lakes Crossing) ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Carhartt Detroit Flagship Store ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Third Man Records Cass Corridor ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Showtime Clothing (Rock 'n' Shop) ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Rust Belt Market ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Birmingham town page ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Hamtramck town page ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Ferndale town page ↗
- Quarter Detroit – Royal Oak town page ↗
- Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
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