The Gibraltar Trade Center has a sort of charm that is akin to a carnival

Sep 24, 2014 at 1:00 am

You can walk out of the weekend public market in Mount Clemens with damn near anything you may think. Are you looking for a dog? Pop over to Little Dogz and get yourself a puppy. Are you in the market for a battle-ready katana? You should be able to find what you're looking for at Hidden Dragon. Hell, if you want to buy a house, go to the middle of the market and check out Imperial Real Estate. The point is, for the two bucks they charge to get in, you're bound to find something that makes you ooh and ahh.

Gibraltar is known for its specialty shows, like the motorcycle swap meets, holistic festivals, and gun shows, but among the vendors who occupy space in the vast indoor market every week, there are indeed some intriguing items. A handful of antiques shops sell their treasures under Gibraltar's roof, and if you fancy yourself a negotiator, the proprietors are usually willing to haggle over price.

One section of the market is discounted furniture. Stacks and stacks of ornate woven rugs, all at affordable prices, sit in neat rows. Shardan's Leather Goods has been outfitting motorcyclists since 1985. If you're not a biker, they offer custom fit leather belts that they cut right in front of you.

Gibraltar has a sort of charm that is akin to a carnival — the thick smell of fried food from the food court hits you immediately upon crossing the threshold. The prices are dirt cheap, and as for the carnies? Well, you'll just have to make that assessment yourself.