David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow says she is working with officials of Detroit's Eastern Market to help them increase the number of days the outdoor and shed merchants are open for business.

Up to 40,000 people visit Eastern Market's Saturday market — a local food district with more than 250 independent vendors and merchants processing, wholesaling and retailing food. At the heart of Eastern Market is a six-block public market in business since 1891.

Businesses in the permanent shops and stores surrounding the weekend market area are open weekdays, but the sheds and open-air parts are not.

"Why should Eastern Market only be open on Saturday? Why not Sunday? Why not every day?" said Stabenow, D-Lansing, at an appearance at the Detroit Economic Club in Southfield. "They are looking at expanding."