With the holiday in full swing, Campus Martius doesn’t fall short of Christmas spirit. Across from the 65-foot Norway Spruce tree and crowded skating rink, 18 pop-up stores are decked out with bright string lights and an assortment of red and green. Hand-woven stockings and Christmas signs are hung throughout the stores, while an evergreen garland encloses the area.

Vendors sell a variety of retail items, ranging from winter clothing to children’s books. Not Sorry Goods in particular is especially focused on sustainability within the clothing industry.

Diamond Jackson, the co-founder of Not Sorry Goods, said owners are constantly evaluating their impact on the environment and making adjustments to make the clothing as high-quality as possible.

“For (environmental) purposes, we primarily do upcycle pieces,” Jackson said. “We have a lot of cool basics. This shop specifically carries mostly crewnecks, hoodies, candles and beanies.”

Other vendors within this area also have similar missions in mind as they sell their products. Inkcourage owner Adria Eliana said her company sells souvenirs with motivational phrases on them, which she believes is fitting of the positive environment in Campus Martius.

“It’s all about words of encouragement,” Eliana said. “Everybody here seems like they’re in a good mood, which matches (the message). Even if they’re not buying from me, it’s fun getting to talk to people and show my business.”

Many businesses within this busy area have separate stores at other locations, such as Alcott’s Attic Bookstore. The shed, run by owner Christina Lefleur, has several pop-ups throughout Metro Detroit and delivers in St. Clair Shores.

“We’re an independent bookstore that sells a curated collection of books,” Lefleur said. “I started this in 2020 in Colorado and moved the business over to Michigan about a year and half ago.”

The competition to book a shed in Campus Martius ensures the products sold are high quality, according to Lefleur. She said she believes the variety of products offered at the market may also be a result of this process.

“I had to apply in the summer to first book the shed,” Lefleur said. “There’s an application process with hundreds of people, and they only choose 18 local businesses. I run it with my son, and I just love to be downtown this season.”