Rust Belt Market to open in downtown Ferndale

Rust Belt Market, a new vendor space for artists, artisans and creators, will open its doors this spring in the long-shuttered retail space vacated by Old Navy at Nine Mile and Woodward Ave. in downtown Ferndale.

The enormous 15,000 sq. ft space has been vacant since 2007. But thanks to the ambitious husband-and-wife team of Chris & Tiffany Best, the space will see new light in May. The Bests hope to bring in dozens of local vendors every weekend, while providing studio space and meeting venues.

"This is an exciting venture for the Bests and it’s exciting for Downtown Ferndale," said Cristina Sheppard-Decius, Executive Director for the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority. "This is prime real estate, but it needed a visionary entrepreneur to create a viable, retail business.  The Best's concept is an ideal mesh with the creative culture
that flourishes in Downtown Ferndale."

That's just the tip of the iceburg for Ferndale's new commercial ventures in 2011. Expect to see new cafes, a veterinarian office, a Cupcake Station franchise, two new bars, new clothing stores and a hobby shop opening along Nine Mile Rd. and Woodward Ave. sometime this year.

Find out more about downtown Ferndale here.

Enjoy this story? Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.