A small number of merchants opened in October at the historic market near UMB’s campus, which has been undergoing a $45 million redevelopment to construct a new market building and plaza.
When the lunchtime hunger pangs set in, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) employees often could be found making the quick walk to Lexington Market to grab a Faidley’s crabcake, a chicken box, or a fresh fruit smoothie. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and, in more recent months, the market has been undergoing massive renovations and modernizations. With the pandemic largely behind us and the grand reopening on the horizon, there’s no time better than now to start planning your next lunch outing or market purchase.
For anyone unfamiliar with it, Lexington Market is a Baltimore staple. The largest in Baltimore Public Markets’ six-market system, Lexington Market bridges the city’s downtown, western neighborhoods, and central business district. It is the country’s longest continuously operating public market, serving Baltimore for nearly 200 years as a hub for fresh food and local and regional culinary favorites. It is within walking distance of Camden Yards, the Hippodrome and Everyman theaters, and UMB’s downtown campus. And the market currently is undergoing an exciting $45 million redevelopment to construct a new market building and plaza scheduled to open this fall.
UMB employee Carin Cardella, MA, MS, says she’s missed being able to visit the market in recent months. “Lexington Market has something for everyone,” she said. “My favorite? Krause’s Lite Fare — they have a year-round Thanksgiving sandwich with stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce. It’s incredible! I’m looking forward to the grand reopening and also finding some new favorite lunch spots just steps from my office.”
But before we grab our wallet and head up the street, let’s go back to the beginning. It all started right where the market is now, on a small field originally known as the Western Precincts Market. The first market shed on this site was built around 1805 on land offered for a public market by John Eager Howard in 1782. Howard Street and Eager Street in the city and Howard County are named for the Baltimore-born Revolutionary War hero who later became a Maryland governor and a U.S. senator.
Lexington Market was an overnight success as local farmers flocked to the site to sell their produce. As the 20th century began, the market grew to include three block-long sheds and a thousand stalls, with just as many vendors outside, their carts crowding the surrounding streets. It got so crowded and disruptive that one former mayor even called for the market’s removal. That didn’t happen, although the city eventually banned street vendors from operating around the market.
Fast-forward a century and several decades later, and the market and its reputation had eroded somewhat, along with its iconic structure. At a groundbreaking in February 2020, Gov. Larry Hogan said, “Sadly over the past 50 years, the market itself and the area surrounding the market experienced significant decline and economic disinvestment, which affected the ability to respond to the city’s diverse communities and residents. That ends today.”
Seawall, which developed Remington’s R House and Remington Row as well as Union Collective in Hampden, broke ground in 2020 on what’s called the South Market building, located on what formerly was an adjacent parking lot. The old arcade building — where Lexington Street intersects Paca Street — was razed and an open-air plaza with plenty of outdoor seating is almost ready for the reopening this fall. The Seawall team looks at this as an opportunity to re-create Lexington Market for a new generation.
The new Lexington Market is designed with upper and lower areas, connected by a grand stairway lined with seating — Baltimore’s biggest “stoop.” Upon completion, the market will include 45 permanent vendors and 10 kiosks; the smaller stands rent weekly or monthly and are ideal for startup entrepreneurs. The new upper floor features prepared foods and specialty vendors selling baked goods, coffee, and ice cream. The lower floor will serve as Lexington Market’s “grocery department,” home to many fresh food vendors. This area also will feature seating adjacent to Eutaw Street.
In the space between the old East Market building and the new structure, there is a grand outdoor plaza, with extensive space and seating for public events and community gatherings. This plaza will transform historic Lexington Street into a pedestrian-only plaza, connecting Eutaw and Paca streets and providing important urban green space.
The result is a wider variety of affordable offerings, more fresh food and groceries, and a more diverse group of business owners. And the new market’s goal is to provide a safe, welcoming, family-friendly destination for all Baltimoreans to visit, shop, play, and connect. It is proud to be a founding member of the Post 114 Coalition, a cross-sector partnership among government, the private sector, community representatives, and nonprofit entities. The group is focused on addressing safety issues and other challenges in the area adjacent to Lexington Market in three areas — drug dealing and addiction, streetscape and cleanliness, and surrounding business advancement — to create a safer and more welcoming environment at Lexington Market.
UMB Police Chief Thomas Leone, MSL, says he’s proud to be a part of the market’s safety network. “We’re working closely with Lexington Market to ensure the safety of our UMB community,” Leone said. “This includes our partnership with the School of Social Work, which has brought new and innovative resources to the Eutaw Street Corridor. Our police and security officers are always close by.”
As you walk toward the market, you’ll likely see UMB Police and Market Security officers. “We’ll see you at the market!” Leone said.
Many UMB faculty, staff, and students are looking forward to the grand reopening of the market later this fall.
Nancy Gordon, executive director of protocol and special events at UMB, says, “I have been a longtime proponent of Lexington Market. I actually worked at Lexington Market for many years; my family owned the first chain of frozen yogurt shops in Maryland, the first one of which was located in the market called The Yogurt Tree. Our offices were also situated upstairs. Now, as a UMB event planner, I look forward to hosting events at the new market, especially using the outdoor terrace as well as the Baltimore Room, which features garage-style doors and a wall of windows.”
On an episode of “The UMB Pulse” podcast, Paul Ruppert, president and CEO of Baltimore Public Markets, calls UMB one of Lexington Market’s “best neighbors.” It’s safe to say that for longtime visitors as well as local and new patrons, the reopening of Lexington Market will be pleasantly received.
A small number of merchants opened at Lexington Market in October, with a grand opening to come in late 2022.