As the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaches, so does Small Business Saturday – the perfect time to celebrate at the Winter Markets in Cadillac Square!

The Winter Markets (also known as the Downtown Detroit Markets) officially opened November 9th, ushering in the holiday season with 17 diverse vendors represented in artful pop-up shops.

The Winter Markets will be in full swing for Small Business Saturday, a national initiative supporting small businesses and everything they do for our communities. The Winter Markets play a critical role in this initiative, increasing foot traffic and elevating small businesses during the busiest shopping season of the year. Now in its sixth year, the Winter Markets have supported 130 small businesses generating nearly $6 million in overall sales. This year’s vendors represent mostly women-owned and BIPOC-owned small businesses selling an array of goods to attract visitors and residents alike. The markets are set against the backdrop of the coy Cadillac Lodge, where shoppers can gather to enjoy treats, hot and cold refreshments, entertainment and more.

In this video, Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of the Gilbert Family Foundation, explains why the Winter Markets are both an iconic Detroit holiday staple and an important part of strengthening the Detroit entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are excited to see how the markets will support our dedication to economic mobility, and we know that this year’s Small Business Saturday will be a big success for the participating market vendors!