Lexington Market celebrates grand opening in new location (2024)

After more than 200 years in operation, Baltimore's Lexington Market has a new place to call home and a diverse mix of food and vendors.A grand opening ceremony Tuesday morning showcased the new 60,000-square-foot market building and public plaza that hosts 26 vendors and seven kiosks that include Faidley's Seafood and Connie's Chicken & Waffles and new Baltimore favorites, Tio G's Empanadas and Taharka Brothers Ice Cream. | RELATED: Historic Lexington Market undergoes renovationsLexington Market was founded in 1782 and is described as the longest operating public market in the country. Local leaders joined the business community to make it official: The new Lexington Market is up and running with hopes of having close to 60 vendors by mid-summer."It's not just a place where people can feed their stomachs and feed their minds, it's a place where we can feed our souls, because this is community, this is a gathering spot where people can learn and engage," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the new market reflects a diverse Baltimore with 50% Black-owned and 50% women-owned businesses.| RELATED: First vendors unveiled for revitalized Lexington Market"This has been a long, long, long time coming," Scott said.Robin Holmes, a vendor, is new to the market with her Deddle's Donuts."We are so proud to have our first brick-and-mortar (location) in the new market, after five years running around the DMV in a pickup truck," Holmes said.Nancy Devine, owner of Faidley's Seafood, is one of the market's most-tenured vendors."It's nice, and to see the young people being so enthusiastic and excited about it, it's all good," Devine said.The reopening celebration featured a bell-ringing ceremony with the descendants of James B. Carpenter, who had a shoe-shine stall in the market and, in 1963, began a tradition of ringing the bell outside each morning to signal the start of the market day.| RELATED: Baltimore patrons happy for Lexington Market reopening | 11 TV HILL: The next chapter of Lexington Market