Public invited to Oct. 8th open house for ice cream and informal Q&A session
Rendering courtesy of FUNchitecture
(FLINT, Mich. – Oct. 6, 2026) Construction will begin this month on two transformative projects at the Flint Farmers’ Market. Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC), the nonprofit owner of the local landmark, will enclose and expand part of the outdoor pavilion to create a vibrant, year-round space and upgrade the building’s loading dock and storage facilities.
“Together, these projects will drive more activity downtown, attract new visitors and strengthen the Flint Farmers‘ Market‘s role as a community gathering place and economic driver,” said Tim Herman, URC President. “The market currently attracts about 500,000 visitors annually, and we want to build on that momentum. By activating underutilized space and expanding what the venue has to offer, we’re adding to the energy that makes downtown Flint a great place to live, thrive, and connect.”
Specifically, URC will repurpose about one-third of existing outdoor vendor stalls into two enclosed commercial spaces open year-round. The new spaces will include storefronts for the Michigan State University (MSU) Spartan Dairy Store and a new restaurant with a dynamic outdoor patio, both of which will operate during and beyond regular market hours starting June 2027.
“We’re excited to bring the Spartan Dairy Store experience to the Flint Farmers’ Market and connect with even more people across Michigan,” said Aaron Weiner, Spartan Dairy Store and Administrative Business Manager. “This expansion gives us a wonderful opportunity to share our award-winning, MSU-made ice cream while becoming part of the vibrant community that makes the market such a special destination.”
Details about the new restaurant, led by a proven operator with a longstanding track record in Genesee County, will be released in spring 2027.
Additionally, the market will reconfigure and expand its loading docks and storage facilities to boost operational efficiency for the market’s 50+ vendors and Flint Food Works entrepreneurs. Originally designed for shared storage and product handling, the current space is at capacity.
“Our storage area has become overcrowded, limiting accessibility for our vendors,” said Karianne Martus, Flint Farmers’ Market Manager. “This expansion will help us get our back-of-house space in order, improve day-to-day operations, and make an already great market experience even better for our community.”
These projects are made possible through the generous funding support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The public is invited to learn more about the expansion on Thursday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Representatives from URC and the Spartan Dairy Store will be on site outside, near the Flint Farmers’ Market Pavilion entrance. There, they will share project renderings, answer questions, and offer complimentary scoops of ice cream while supplies last.
