Lexington Market is sending off its East Market building with a celebration Sept. 3 to mark its 70 years of service.
The historic public market will hold a free and public event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 3, with live music, giveaways, speakers, and a ringing of the market’s bell.
Attendees will honor the history and legacy of Lexington Market and the Baltimore Public Markets system, the oldest continuously operating market system in the country.
“The East Market has been an essential part of the Baltimore experience for the past 70 years, and holds great memories for many,” said Paul Ruppert, president and CEO of Lexington Market and Baltimore Public Markets, in a statement. “This is a time to both acknowledge its legacy and to share the exciting plans we have in store for the opening of the new Market building next door. We are thrilled to share a timeline for opening our new Market home and honored to continue serving our Baltimore community for generations to come.”
Starting Sept. 6, merchants will open at the new Lexington Market Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Faidley’s Seafood, beloved sellers of crab cakes and other seafood items, will stay open at their current location – closing for vacation from Sept. 5-10 – and will move into the new market in early 2023.
So far, the market has announced 36 merchants including, most recently, two vegan food vendors.
Market officials said they will share additional details about the new market’s opening timeline in September.
Lexington Market has served food to Baltimoreans for more than 200 years, and its East Market building has operated for 70 years.
The new South Market building is slated to open in the early fall, after which the East Market will be redeveloped.
