Horrocks Market, Lansing, Michigan…read more
WHOA! This place is HUGE! We walked into Horrocks Market expecting a market, and what we found was practically a small city devoted to food, flowers, gardening, and just about anything else you can imagine.
The variety is incredible. Fresh produce, prepared foods, a bakery, flowers (including some gorgeous exotic varieties), gardening supplies, paper goods, wind chimes, specialty items, and so much more. You can wander around for ages and still discover something you missed. I even counted the soups, and they had around 36 different varieties available to take home or enjoy there. THIRTY-SIX! At that point, choosing a soup becomes a serious life decision.
There is also plenty to tempt your taste buds, with freshly prepared food and all kinds of goodies. The popcorn-making area caught our attention, and the popcorn looked wonderful. The only catch? You had to buy a gigantic bag for about $8. We were a group of four, not a family preparing for winter hibernation, so we passed. The cinnamon rolls looked equally tempting, very much in the Cinnabon style, but at around $9 for one, we decided that our sweet tooth could survive without one. Coming from the Chicago area, I found many of the prices surprisingly high. There is certainly a lot to choose from, but your wallet may need a little pep talk before you go shopping!
One of the nicest surprises was the atmosphere on Friday. There was a live band playing, and lots of people had gathered to listen. The music was free, and you could grab a beer, a glass of wine, or another drink and simply sit back and enjoy the scene. It was a fun, lively atmosphere, although the music was a little loud for casual conversation.
What impressed me most was the sheer variety. This isn't just a place to buy groceries. It's somewhere to explore, browse, grab a bite, admire the flowers, discover unusual products, and enjoy a little entertainment along the way.
My advice? Definitely visit, but go for the experience rather than planning to fill your shopping cart. There is so much to see and enjoy, even if you decide to keep your wallet firmly in your pocket.
Horrocks Market is an experience all on its own. Come curious, leave yourself plenty of time to explore, and don't say I didn't warn you about the size of the place!