The Heart of the Market: How the Great Lakes Region is Leading the Nation in Public Market Excellence
When it comes to public markets—those vibrant, community-centered spaces where cultures converge over fresh food, local goods, and civic pride—the Great Lakes region is setting the standard for the nation. At the center of this renaissance is Milwaukee, which has just been named the Best Public Market in the United States for the second year in a row by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards .
Milwaukee: A National Beacon of Urban Market Success
The Milwaukee Public Market, located in the city’s Historic Third Ward, is a bustling hub of artisan vendors, fresh food counters, and diverse culinary experiences. Its consistent top ranking is no accident. As Executive Director Paul Schwartz noted, “It’s a reflection of the work our staff and vendors put in every day, and the passion our customers have for the market” . Milwaukee’s win is not just a point of local pride—it’s a model for how urban public markets can anchor neighborhood revitalization, tourism, and community identity.
Buffalo: A Market on the Horizon
Meanwhile, Buffalo, New York is preparing for a historic moment of its own. The long-dormant DL&W Terminal, poised on the Buffalo River, is being transformed into a public market that promises to be one of the most dynamic in the country. With plans that include food kiosks, a grocery, art installations, live music, and even a food truck lift, the market will be accessible by rail, bike, foot, car—and boat.
Set to open in 2027, this $65 million development led by Savarino DL&W Development—with support from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority—represents a bold vision for public space, civic activation, and waterfront access.
Detroit: A Living Legacy of Market Culture
No conversation about public markets in the Great Lakes would be complete without honoring Detroit’s Eastern Market—a 19th-century gem that has grown into one of the largest and most iconic public markets in the country. The Eastern Market is a seven-day-a-week economic engine, hosting farmers, entrepreneurs, and artists in a space that embodies Detroit’s creative and cultural resilience .
It’s not just a place to buy produce—it’s a neighborhood institution, a center of Black food entrepreneurship, and a cultural touchstone in a city constantly reinventing itself.
A Region of Market Excellence
The Great Lakes region is home to multiple markets recognized nationally for their excellence:
• Cleveland’s West Side Market – A historic architectural treasure and culinary showcase.
• Cincinnati’s Findlay Market – Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market.
• Indianapolis City Market – A landmark in the city’s downtown food scene.
• Chicago’s Green City Market – A leader in sustainable, farmer-first food systems.
Each of these markets represents the spirit of its city, while collectively creating a corridor of public space innovation, food justice, and economic opportunity.
A Call to Celebrate—and Replicate
Public markets are about more than commerce. They are about community—places where local entrepreneurs, immigrant chefs, farmers, and artists share space with tourists and neighbors alike. In an era when so many communities feel fragmented, public markets offer cohesion, familiarity, and celebration.
As Milwaukee continues to lead, Buffalo builds toward its bold future, and cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago deepen their legacies, the Great Lakes stand tall as a national model.
Let’s celebrate the markets that bring us together—and work to build more. The Great Lakes region is leading the way.