Federal, state and local dignitaries joined community leaders Thursday for the grand opening of The Mill on the North, a new food hall located at 2636 West North Avenue, just steps from Coppin State University. The 7,500-square-foot space features six vendors and a bar, offering new options in an area long considered a food desert.
A Community Destination
'Our House' on West North Avenue
"A thriving Mill on North is much more than a food hall," said Crystal Jackson Parker, an office manager with the Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation. "It is a destination where friends, family and neighbors can call their own. Yes, there is an R. House in Remington, but on West North Avenue, the Mill on North is our house."
Her remarks drew applause from the packed crowd at the grand opening on April 24, 2025. The 7,500-square-foot space features six vendors and a bar, offering new options in an area long considered a food desert.
Mayor Brandon Scott, U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume, State Senator Antonio Hayes, City Council President Zeke Cohen, and Councilman James Torrence joined community leaders for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mayor Scott recalled that he once picked up material at the site when it was still a lumberyard.
City Council President Zeke Cohen emphasized that "Black wealth creation is important to Baltimore's renaissance," while Councilman James Torrence said he is happy the transformation is being led by Black voices. "I represent a district that is led by Black women who have been the tax base of this city."
Vendor Stories: Chef Dae's Journey
From Struggle to Success
Chef Dae Wingate of Dream Street Cuisine fought back tears as she spoke about her journey to having a stall at The Mill. "I am proof that when you block out negativity, put your head down, stay laser focused and God-centered, anybody's dream can come true," she said.
Wingate said she began pursuing the opportunity in 2021. She faced mounting challenges including a broken down food truck, dwindling finances and bank loan pressures. "I was going to quit. I'm not going to lie," Wingate said. "But the vision was way deeper than me. I know that I have a great product."
She urged the community to support caterers like her. "Please don't give up on us," said Wingate. "This is everyone's shot at becoming more than what we really are."
Other vendors at the food hall include Next Phaze, Double Stacked Burger, and 3 Chefs Catering. Each brings their unique flavors and stories to West North Avenue.
A $58 Million Revitalization
Connection and Rebirth
The food hall is part of a $58 million push to revitalize the West North Avenue corridor. Funding comes from a mix of federal, state and local government grants, including $4 million from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. It also includes loans through community development financial institutions.
The West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA) provided $25,000 in startup funding for kitchen equipment, helping vendors get off the ground.
Organizers said the food hall will serve as more than a dining space; it's a place of connection and rebirth, located one mile from where Freddie Gray grew up. His 2015 death in police custody brought national attention to decades of disinvestment in West Baltimore.
Reflecting on the journey, Crystal Jackson Parker with Coppin Heights CDC said the opening of The Mill is only the beginning. "We have planted seed in fertile ground, and we will continue to water it and watch it grow."
Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation (CHCDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to developing and improving affordable housing in the Greater Coppin Heights/Rosemont community.
Website created by Mammoth Websites.
Resources
Copyright © 2025, Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
