by Abigail Richards
Cross Street Market nestled between Light and Charles Street in Federal Hill, Baltimore
In the heart of Charm City's Federal Hill, lies the Cross Street Market. Stretching over an entire block, the market is filled with a diverse variety of over twenty vendors, who each offer different cuisines from all over the world. Strolling through, fragrances from Korean fried chicken to rich Birria tacos blend seamlessly, creating a delightful and harmonious aroma. Each and every flavor comes from the variety of culture that makes up Baltimore’s diverse population today.
The Timeless Cross Street Market
Established in 1845, the origins of the Cross Street Market consisted of a singular open-air shed where vendors sold local food like meat & poultry, vegetables, and what Baltimore’s renown for- seafood. Being one of America’s oldest markets, Cross Street faced several challenges after its original opening, including a detrimental fire in 1951 and several closings up until the mid 2010’s. Despite the obstacles, Cross Street Market is freshly renovated as of May 2019, and home to 22 independently owned businesses. It runs the full length of Cross Street, and serves as a staple to residents and visitors of South Baltimore.
Rave Reviews from Market Regulars
Jenny Raley, a Light Street resident and only a block from the venue, finds habit in the market's offerings almost daily. Moving from the UMBC area last August, she often comes to do her schoolwork in the plethora of space offered by the market. Raley shares it’s not just about the variety of foods, but also the atmosphere.
“It's pretty quiet during the day, and I love all the windows and people who come through here. Also being able to get a different type of food each time is a plus.” Raley describes that for her, the market is a mix of different people and cultures, offering a captivating show of Baltimore's essence. “My favorite is definitely the Korean chicken though, or the coffee cafe on a hungover morning,” Raley laughs. “I also love people watching, which is what I love about this spot. There's so many different kinds of people coming through here. It's so interesting to see.”
Taste of Diversity: When Communities and Cuisines Connect
Taharka Brothers, one of the two Black-owned businesses in Cross Street Market, is known for its unique social mission and unique ice cream flavors. Its focus is on creating an impactful, profitable business that is managed and operated by young adults from some of Baltimore’s most troubled neighborhoods. Jasmine Mitchell-West, an employee at Taharka Brothers appreciates the connections formed among employees and vendors.
“I’ve only been here for a little, but it’s my first time working for a Black-owned business and I love it so much. I’ve become so close with the other employees here and they've become really close friends. It’s just a really good sense of community by being surrounded with people who you have so much in common with,” Mitchell-West gushes on the topic. “The other workers are so nice too. I’ve heard so many stories and met people I wouldn't have even thought about talking to. The same thing goes with trying new kinds of food too. It’s our own little community here, for real.”
Just a couple yards away from the ice cream stand lies one of the market's most popular staples. This undoubtedly being Southside Burger Bar. With a key focus on delivering the highest quality burgers available in the city, the burger establishment strives to cater to the expanding community of South Baltimore and its surrounding areas. Created by brothers Nick and Steve Karvounis, their concept stems from their upbringing in their father's stalls at Bel Air and Lexington Markets. It was there they mastered the art of serving hearty homestyle breakfasts and timeless lunch favorites, which has been a staple for recruiting regulars.
Tasha Jones, a longtime employee from Southside Burger Bar, echoes the sentiment shared by many regulars: the market is more than a place to eat; it's a community hub.
“We have so many regulars and that's my favorite part of the job. This one group comes in at least once a week and it feels like they've become family at this point. I even got invited to their Thanksgiving get together this year,” Jones shares with a thick, iconic Baltimorean accent. “It's like our own little neighborhood here. I love meeting all the different crowds from Baltimore, and how we offer a little taste of all different cultures. Lately, I've been eating Gyroll’s.” She points to the vendor right across from the burger bar. Gyroll Shawarma offers Middle Eastern cuisine and is the newest place in the market, which opened in the first week of November 2023.
Cross Street Market is known as the heart of Baltimore’s Federal Hill
Bridging Cultures and Defining Charm City's Identity
As Cross Street Market continues to serve as a culinary haven, it also thrives as a community hub, and a representation of Baltimore’s cultural richness and inclusivity. With its timeless history and freshly renovated spirit, this market remains a cherished gathering place. Yet, beyond being a marketplace, it stands as a testament to the city's diverse identity, dissolving boundaries, uniting people through flavors, and weaving together the mosaic that defines Charm City.
Sources:
Jenny Raley | (443) 789-9781
Jasmine Mitchell-West | Taharka Brothers | (410) 559-9620
Tasha Jones | Southside Burger Bar | (443) 388-8321
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