Both DC and Baltimore have something like this (Union Market in DC, not eastern market) and it's a really great trend. It's a fun place to take people, and it's nice to choose from different cuisines when you have a group.
DC's is tough because most of the vendors are pretty high-end so it draws mostly yuppies, but it's hard to criticize these small shops for targeting high margin foods.
I wonder if there's a way to promote these kinds of markets while targeting more affordability?
I think that is actually the point of the article. Detroit managed to open up their market to a wider set of sellers through a combination of regulation (the Cottage Food Law cutting down regulation for small processors of relatively safe foods) and incubators (Kitchen Connect offering a commissary focused on building new food businesses)
Cutting the start up costs increase the range of profitable business opportunities.
Baltimore's had Lexington Market for 130 years. It's been one of the saving graces of the city for donkey's years. It'd be great to see something similar arising in Detroit. Michigan certainly would benefit from exposure to a broader palate of cuisines and spices.
It seems like the large arab community (out of Dearborn) ought to be front and center in any new Detroit food market. "The Motown Bazaar" has a great ring to it. And don't forget the east european foodies around the Hamtramck area.
DC's is tough because most of the vendors are pretty high-end so it draws mostly yuppies, but it's hard to criticize these small shops for targeting high margin foods.
I wonder if there's a way to promote these kinds of markets while targeting more affordability?