Hollins Market Reopens After $1.25-Million Renovation
Baltimore Public Markets reopened Hollins Market last week following a $1-million interior renovation. The market was supposed to stay open during the renovation, but has been closed since March 19th due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1-million renovation by Baltimore Public Markets, which owns the market, is in addition to a $250,000 exterior renovation by War Horse Cities CDC, the nonprofit arm of War Horse Cities. The exterior work included new siding, trim, lighting, fixtures, paint, and murals to the exterior of Hollins Market.
War Horse Cities is a development company by Scott Plank with residential, office, and retail projects in the Hollins Market neighborhood.
The interior renovation by Baltimore Public Markets added new windows along S. Carrollton Ave. and the north side of Hollins St., new lighting, and two new common seating areas. A new bar, built by the owners of The Back Yard, will also feature local beer, wine, and specialty grocery items.
The renovation took place on the one-story “shed” of Hollins Market. The two-story, brick “head house” has not yet been renovated and has been closed off from the shed.
Stacey Pack, the project manager for the Hollins Market project for Baltimore Public Markets, said they are currently fundraising for improvements to the head house and are exploring all options. They are looking for a user who is able to fully restore both levels. She noted this could be an office user, event space, retail concept, or “anything that benefits the community.”
The second floor of the head house, which has not been used since the 1970s, is “pretty awesome,” according to Pack. It is a large hall space with tall ceilings and has a basketball court in it. It used to host dances.
Hollins Market welcomed back vendors Eddie’s Lunch, L&R Produce, Lauman’s Meats, Mike’s Breakfast and Lunch, Taste of the Orient, and M&T Bank last week. New vendors will be Hollins Poultry, a concept by Lauman’s Meats; the Dancing Potato, which offers specialty and build-your-own potatoes; and the new concept by The Back Yard.
Alcohol drinks from the bar can be enjoyed throughout the market and in a new parklet outdoor seating area added on the north side of Hollins St.
Businesses that did not return to the market include Jack’s Poultry, Bernie’s Deli, and American Convenience. American Convenience’s former space is now a common seating area with windows on two sides.
Pack said the community has repeatedly said they want Hollins Market to be a market and not a food hall. Concepts Baltimore Public Markets is targeting are a fresh seafood vendor, a bakery, and a space for pop-up concepts. There is room for three to four additional vendors.
Baltimore Public Markets worked with architect PI.KL and contractor Plano-Coudon on the project.
Hollins Market has a parking lot across the street, but part of the lot was renovated by the Baltimore Development Corporation’s Design for Distancing as an outdoor park. It has shade sails, string lighting, benches, and planters, as well as tables made from wood pallets.
Pack said she hopes the renovation of the market will help fill retail spaces surrounding the market. Several new concepts have been added in storefronts adjacent to the market in recent months including England’s Eatery and Juice Lab Co. which will be opening soon. Pack and Baltimore Public Markets worked on the Broadway North project and said they saw a boost in the residential and retail business surrounding the market.
About the Author: Kevin Lynch
Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.
