PHOTO RELEASE: Governor Moore Celebrates Revitalization and Reopening of Baltimore’s Historic Lexington Market

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 31, 2023) – Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller today joined with Baltimore state and city officials, development partners and business owners to celebrate the revitalized and reopened Lexington Market. Today’s ribbon cutting and celebratory bell ringing marked the opening of a new 60,000 square foot market building, public plaza and the return of more than 40 businesses that will feature a mix of relocated institutions including Faidley’s Seafood and Connie’s Chicken & Waffles and new Baltimore- Favorites include Tio G’s Empanadas and Taharka Brothers Ice Cream.

“This transformational project demonstrates the power of the state working with private partners and the City of Baltimore to better serve the people of Maryland,” said Governor Moore. “The $45 million rehabilitation of this Baltimore treasure will keep it operational for many decades to continue to be a home for merchants, a meeting place for residents, and an attraction for visitors to our great state and city of Baltimore . ”

Led by Baltimore Public Markets Corporation and Seawall Development, the revitalization of Lexington Market includes funding from both the Maryland Department of General Services and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Between the two agencies, the state has invested more than $12 million through four programs. The new market has more than 40 leased dealership spaces and increases new dealership representation from black-owned businesses to more than 50 percent, along with more than 50 percent from women-owned businesses.

“The opening of the new Lexington Market is a remarkable milestone in Baltimore’s ongoing redevelopment,” said Jake Day, assistant secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development. “Projects like this are a testament to the power of progress we can make across Maryland when everyone works together to improve our cities, towns and communities.”

The Department of Housing and Community Development committed $3 million through the Neighborhood BusinessWorks program to boost development in 2020. The funds supported the three-month construction period and allowed the project to meet funding requirements to secure additional tax credits. An additional $2 million was awarded through the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative, a program supporting redevelopment in Baltimore City and the surrounding inner-city beltways. The Baltimore Public Markets Corporation also received a grant from the Community Safety Works program for beautification, community cleanups, safety cameras, and community engagement and programming.

In partnership with the Baltimore City delegation to the General Assembly, the Department of General Services awarded $7 million from the Capital Grants Program through bonds approved during the previous six legislative periods. A proposal for additional $3 million of Capital Grants Program funding for the Lexington Market will shortly be submitted to the Board of Public Works.

“DGS is honored to be a celebratory partner in today’s ribbon cutting ceremony,” said Atif Chaudhry, acting secretary of the Department of General Services. “I am very proud that the State Capital Grant funds are being invested to support the redevelopment of this historic market.”

Founded in 1782, Lexington Market is considered the longest-running public market in the country. Today’s reopening celebration included a bell ringing ceremony featuring the descendants of James B. Carpenter, who had a shoeshine stand at the market and began the tradition of ringing the bell outside each morning in 1963 to signal the start of the market day.

For more information about Lexington Market and its businesses and retailers, visit: https://lexingtonmarket.com/.

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