Lexington Market

Last week, I had the pleasure of going to Lexington Market with my Audio Documentary classmates. Our task was for each person to interview one person working at a business. Some people did Faidley's Seafood. One person did Polock Johnny's. I chose the Utz Stand (Due to Legal reasons, Berger Cookie's was my second choice)

This past summer, the Utz Stand was closed because of allegations that the former owner was selling guns illegally from the stand. I wanted to know how business was doing in light of the previous events and how the market was readjusting to the scandal. According to the new owner, Richard Lesner, everything was just grand.

Mrs. Darlene (can't remember her last name), who is the marketing manager of the market, made it very clear that it was important that the stand stayed in business. It was a long running institution where pennypinchers could get their soda and chips for just a dollar. Apparently, there aren't too many places in the city that will offer at that price. She couldn't comment on the "Chips and Clips" incident, as she tagged it, but as a marketing manager, why would she ever say anything bad about the place she works in?

After my short interview at the Utz Stand, I allowed myself to roam around the market to take in the sights, sounds, and smells. You could pretty much find anything that you wanted in this absolutely massive marketplace. According to the site, it's the longest running open-air marketplace in the country. Now I understand why there are barely any grocery stores in West Baltimore. Everything is here. There are probably over five delis. Seven produce stands. I lost count of the Chinese joints. There's Greek, Italian, Polish, Mediterranean, and Caribbean foods. Fried chicken galore. Over five bakeries. There's even a place that sells breakfast food all day. I think it was called "Omelet Side Show". I settled for a Thanksgiving sandwich at Ronny's Combo. Hot Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on a fresh bun. Mmm. Picked out a lemon Snapple to wash it down.

I had no idea where to eat this lunch. My audio partner didn't arrive on time, and I don't have many friends in the class, so I decided to venture on my own to find a place to sit. In the main atrium of the market, there are standing only areas with tables. I found myself an empty one to chow down. Not one second later, a short Black man motioned me to come over and chat. His name was Skippy. He was a Baltimore native, and thought I was pretty and was a good choice for his friend, Kenny. We started talking about my studies and what I was doing in the city. They told me how they had been coming to the market all their lives and go there almost every single day to have lunch. When I told Skippy I was from the county, he gave a notion of "ahh the county eh?". When I told him my family originated from Highlandtown, he smirked. This gave me the inclination that there is definitely a rivalry or hightened sense of separation between east and west Baltimore..
Another gentleman came to talk, and his name was Maurice. Skippy and Kenny faded away, and my conversation with Maurice continued. We talked about my studies as well. He found it very interesting and profound that students were coming to learn about the city. He has very positive thoughts about where he was born and raised, and felt the city deserved better attention. A focus on Lexington Market is a good start he thinks. We started talking about "The Wire", and how he felt that even though it depicts a certain realism to the city, it doesn't comment at all on the positive side of life there. After all, there's a bigger reason people stay besides the fact they can't afford to move. He also thinks people need to have a better appreciation for their roots. To him, Africa is a source of inspiration, and is another place where there is a large focus of negativity. I told him about "A Kalahari Family", and he seemed very intrigued by the idea of their lifestyle.

After about ten minutes of that conversation, I was called by my class and apparently holding them up on the bus, and we were late to our Sharp Leadenhall destination. I then bid Maurice adieu, and I was off to South Baltimore.