A trip to ‘the market’ was like going to the mall because you always ran into someone you knew.

Growing up this was the market of choice. In the 1970's it still held prominence over grocery stores for many families. A trip to "the market" was like going to the mall because you always ran into someone you knew. My grandmother handled most of the food shopping and this was her spot.  

I don't think my grandmother ever went to the market without me or my sister riding shotgun. My sister and I would remind each other of who rode shotgun the last time. I can see us chilling in the white seats of my grandmother's Buick,  listening to WWIN radio station while enjoying the scenic route which ended at the parking lot on Eutaw.

My grandmother shopped like a certified chef, schooling me on how fresh food should look and smell. She negotiated prices too. We would end each trip with some baked good, bag of roasted peanuts, or golden brown fried chicken w/potato wedges.

Lexington Market has had its share of challenges throughout the decades, including complaints of sanitary conditions and an influx of citizens suffering from addiction that gathered at the facility. Ironically, this is part of the culture of Lexington Market, citizens from all walks of life and income levels attracted to the same space. I have always felt safe and home at Lexington Market.

The market closed its Eutaw Street facility recently with the new market set to open soon adjacent to the old building. I have continued to go to Lexington Market but only to visit friends who sold non perishable items and to get a feel of Baltimore culture. I would also stop through to see musicians during Christmas or my man Brother Rasul selling the Final Call Newspaper and cueing me in on the city's newsworthy stories. But I have not eaten food there for quite some time. Sorry to my fellow Baltimoreans but it didn't have that 'dining' feel to me any longer. When the new market opens, I will be back and will be more likely to purchase food in a more suitable facility.

But, it will not be the same. It will be significantly different from the original market that we all know because the original cannot be duplicated. I will settle on the fact it's the original that produced the current and I will enjoy the memories of the past.