Farmers Market in the Ville
Posted on 05/05/2026
Mayor Brian Turnbull

NORTHVILLIAN

Mark your calendars! The Northville Chamber of Commerce will launch OPENING DAY of the Farmers’ Market on Thursday, May 7th. The Northville Market has consistently been an award-winning experience, dating back to its unofficial inception more than a hundred years ago. It is one of the largest Thursday markets in the State and attracts folks from over 90 ZIP codes weekly, averaging 2000+ visitors.

We (City & Township) are preparing the Market area grounds with new asphalt and other upgrades for the season.  With the outstanding weather as of late, prepare yourself for a BIG opening day, where you will have the perfect opportunity to grab flowers for your gardens, a gift for a special person in your life or a Mother’s Day tribute.

BEFORE LOOKING @ COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS, LET’S SEE TODAY’S NEWS ...

  • Northville Cars & Coffee – 5/9, 8-10AM, 550 W 7 Mile – Join us for the first gathering of the season. Bring a car, yourself, a friend … sponsored by Alexander’s Custom Clothiers and the Mayor. Special opening day sponsor is Salem Hills Golf Club.
  • Food Drive, Postal Letter Carriers – 5/9. Place non-perishable items in a bag by your mailbox – Northville’s Civic Concern will be the recipient of your generosity.
  • Northville Garden Club Plant & Bake Sale – 5/16, 9-12PM, City Hall Park. Link
  • Birthday Tea Party for Clara Ford – 5/16, 1PM, Mill Race Village. Link
  • Maybury Farm Fest – 5/16, 10AM-5PM. Link
  • Veterans Honor Plaza Dedication - 5/23, 10AM, Mill Race Village. Link
  • Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony at Rural Hill – 5/25, 10AM. Link
  • Investigating Indigenous Connections – 5/29, 7PM, Mill Race Village. Carol Bacak-Egbo, Oakland County Parks’ Historian, will discuss the challenges of researching our area’s history before log cabins and mills. Link
  • Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Marquis Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link, Northville Winery Link
  • State of the Community – A recording of the presentation is available to view. Link

    INFO FOR CITIZENS … Projects Around Town

  • FORD FIELD – Lots to report …
    • ¾The Playscape assembly is DONE.
    • ¾The cement walks are being poured, followed by the soft surfaces being laid down at the playground area.
    • ¾The waterfall is complete at the northern Serenity Point area with native plants growing in around the falls.
    • ¾The ADA entryway is done, and the Vista (Gateway) overlook will be finished by summer.
    • ¾Finally, a NEW STAIRCASE is being designed … Exciting times!
  • RIVERWALK – The pathway system at the Downs along the Rouge River and the Johnson Creek is spectacular. Additionally, DTE is working on their section of the river walk north of the Downs – they are investing over $4.0M in the future of Northville, including decorative fencing, landscaping and a connected pathway.
  • DOWNS INITIATIVE – The River Park ribbon cutting will take place 6/17, and the Central Park is taking shape, too. Check out the Beal St. bridge area construction with its stonework details and decorative functional cement wings. Also, final work is in full swing on the 7 Mile/Sheldon roundabout, too.
  • NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – Paving/upgrades happening this week
  • GRANTS that Support Northville’s Initiatives (Over $17.6M) – Link

TASK FORCE MEETINGS

  • Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 5/6/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
  • Cemetery Renewal Task Force – 5/11/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold – Chair)

 

Historic Farmers’ Market Activities:

The Farmers’ Market is sponsored and run by the Northville Chamber of Commerce. The first day of the season is always exciting and draws a large crowd coming from all over the State. Many take off from work to attend Opening Day activities. 

Recently we have had Opening Day activities for the Detroit Tigers, and we also had the Opening Day when we DAYLIGHTED the River at the Downs project. BUT… the most important opening day is the Northville’s Farmers’ Market first day of the season.  I will see many of you down there on (May 7th).  

Our Community’s Farmers’ Market Activities through time:

1827 – Northville originally was an agricultural community. Our town was founded as a center of commerce in the Michigan Territory (10 Years before Michigan was a State). Some of the first mills (Lumber & Grist) were established to grind the corn & wheat because of access to our four flowing tributaries. Later, that hydraulic power was used during the Industrial Revolution when Northville was second only to Detroit in economics & production in the State.

From these early beginnings, much of the produce including vegetables, apples, berries and more from our surrounding farmers were sold at our market or at Eastern Market in Detroit.

1919 – An article in The Record spoke about Pickard’s Meat & Farmers’ Market housed in the old Opera House on Dunlap and Center Street (site of a new multiuse structure with Cannelle bakery on the first floor today). It was mentioned that the market thrived in selling local vegetables from community farmers. This particular Market was active through the first half of the 20th century. Early on, many of the fruits & vegetables for this market came from the Orchard Heights area of town where the Eaton Farm occupied most of the land, from Rogers to Clement & from Main to Seven Mile.

Additionally, during the early 1900s, fresh cheese from Northville’s famous Cheese Factory owned by Governor Warner of Farmington was sold alongside many vendors’ products.

1952 – After our Opera House was decommissioned, the Market continued and was hosted in various parking lots around town.

1974 – The Thursday Farmers’ Market was then led by John Genitti and offered produce from local farms, including vegetables, fruits, even maple syrup tapped from our local maple trees, with some of those trees dating back 200 years.
 
1988 – The Market was located in the parking lot of MAGS (today’s Northville Square Mall) before migrating to the Downs (Seven Mile and Center St.), where it remained through 2023.  

Over the Years, the Farmers’ Market has been housed in many locations around town, including Town Square, Main & Hutton, Northville Square, the Marquis Theatre parking lot, and the old Opera House, before it made its way to Northville Downs in 1990.

We are extremely grateful for all those that contributed to the vision of a long-term Farmers’ Market, now at 550 Seven Mile Road. We are especially thankful for the cooperation and partnership of the Township and the City that brought this vision to reality.

This is truly the start of a new era for the Market. The TEAMWORK of Mark Abbo (Township Supervisor), his Township organization, our City officials, the Chamber, community work groups and Task Forces has been outstanding. We all remain committed to having a Market in our community for the next 100 years. 

In closing, I remind you again to get ready for an early Mother’s Day present and pick up some flowers at the Northville Farmers’ Market on Opening Day (Thursday, May 7th), 8AM to 2PM … see you there!

Keep that Northville Farmers’ Market Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville