Lexington Market
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Lexington Market is a historic market in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The main market is housed in two large buildings on the north corners of the intersection of Paca and Lexington Streets. In the broader sense, Lexington Market encompasses both the main market and all of the shops on Lexington Street from Greene Street to Liberty Street.
The main market buildings are host to small eateries and stands selling fish, produce, meat, baked goods, and candy.
Lexington Market is located near the Baltimore Light Rail and Baltimore Metro Subway stops of the same name. It is about six blocks from Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Lexington Market is one of the longest-running markets in the world, having been around since 1782. The market continues to stand in its original site. The land for this historical market was donated by General John Eager Howard. The market originally operated without sheds and stalls. Farmers would load up their horse drawn wagons with ham, butter, eggs and produce. The farmers would travel from Towson and Reisterstown to sell their goods at the market. They would usually start work by dawn.
In 1803 the market had increased in size. The market now spread from Eutaw Street down to Lexington Street. It would later spread over to Greene Street. In the beginning the market was open on Tuesdays, Friday and Saturday from 2am until 12noon. A bell would ring at the start of the day and at the end of the day. Before being called Lexington Market it was known as Western Precincts Market.
Food
There are many shops featuring deli sandwiches, Mexican food, fried chicken, Chinese food, pizza, and gyros that make Lexington Market a popular lunch spot for working Baltimoreans as well as students at the nearby University of Maryland, Baltimore campus and the University of Baltimore.
Perhaps the best known eateries at Lexington Market are Mexican Delight known for its burritos & fried ice cream [1], Faidley's, known for its crabcakes, Jumbo Fried Chicken . Shortbread cookies topped with fudge, sold by DeBaufre Bakeries and known simply as "Berger Cookies,"[2] are a Baltimore favorite.
The market is closed on Sundays.
Lexington Market as a Baltimore icon
Lexington Market is viewed by many as a place that shows the personality of the "real" Baltimore, as opposed to the more generic and tourist-oriented attractions found at the nearby Inner Harbor. Lexington Market takes part in the festivities leading up to the Preakness Stakes horse race by hosting the Preakness Crab Derby, where local business leaders and celebrities race the crustaceans on the arcade stage to raise money for charity.
Music
It is common for the Lexington Market east building to play host to jazz and rock and roll bands during the lunch hour on Fridays and Saturdays. Throughout the year, the market has also been known to host presentations from several of the many elementary and middle schools in the nearby and surrounding areas. Even some private schools, such as West Cold Spring Lane's own Baltimore Jr. Academy (BJA) have been known to perform there, yearly, in the past. A popular time to catch the performances of Baltimore's young and talented children, at the market, has usually been during the Christmas seasons.
Awards
Lexington Market won the 2006 Best of Baltimore award for "Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors."[3]