Vendors now have until March 26 to apply to be part of the new Lexington Market after the public market’s developers extended the deadline, citing the “overwhelming” number of applications that have already been submitted or are in the works.
Seawall, the developer behind the $40 million project to renovate and reconstruct one of Baltimore’s historic public markets, said they have already received 80 vendor applications and more than 300 applications are in progress.
The new Lexington Market is slated to open in early 2022 with approximately 50 vendors.
“We are excited by the overwhelming support and response in this second round and are looking forward to announcing the vendors who will call Lexington’s new building home,” Peter DiPrinzio, Seawall’s food and beverage lead, said in a statement. “We are humbled by the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with market customers, historic vendors, and community members to shape a diverse, exciting vendor mix that will carry the Market far into the future.”
During the first round of applications, which closed in October 2020, Seawall selected about 20 vendors from the more than 160 applications they received.
In their second round, they are looking for 20-30 more vendors.
All types of vendors can apply, but the marketplace is especially looking to add some specific vendor types to its lineup, including bakeries, candy and snack makers, fresh produce vendors, Indian and Latin American cuisine, pizza, sushi and vegetarian or vegan vendors.
Vendors have until 11:59 p.m. on March 26 to apply online at www.transformlexington.com.
The market will have about 10 kiosks that makers, specialty food and retail businesses will be able to rent on a short- or medium-term basis. People who would like to potentially become a kiosk vendor can fill out an interest form.
Seawall said they are seeking to “create a new Lexington Market that better reflects the diversity of the City of Baltimore” by increasing the representation of Black-owned, women-owned, and city resident-owned businesses.
To achieve that, the team behind the new Lexington Market has worked with local nonprofit Baltimore Corps to create a two-step process for selecting vendors: a first look by more than 30 reviewers, and a selection committee that conducts final interviews and selects vendors. Both groups are made up of community members, industry leaders, and small business professionals, Seawall officials said.
Transform Lexington Market and Baltimore Corps have also collaborated to provide free information sessions and workshops to prospective vendor applicants.
Seawall announced in February that it will create a $1 million fund to provide loans to vendors to reduce small business owners’ barriers to accessing capital.
