Robin Godwin: Retro Neon Sign Added to Facade of Cross Street Market

A “retro” Cross Street Market neon sign has been installed to the Light St. entrance of the Cross Street Market. The market is currently closed as it undergoes an $8-million redevelopment by Caves Valley Partners (CVP). Initial construction began in April, a second phase began in November, and a third phase began earlier this month after Nick’s Inner Harbor Seafood closed.

The sign is a black rectangular structure with white neon lighting. It reads ‘Cross Street Market’ along with ‘ESTD 1846.’ It has a light feature that will switch between reading ‘open’ and ‘closed.’ The sign was designed by Younts Design Inc. and fabricated by Belsinger Sign Works.

The Light St. entrance also recently had a ‘Cross Street Market’ sign painted on the brick facade. New windows and a wood and glass door were also installed.

The block-long, 31,800 sq. ft. market on E. Cross St. runs from Light St. to S. Charles St. The S. Charles St. facade, signage, and entrance will be identical to the design on Light St. Construction on the S. Charles St. entrance ramped up in recent weeks after the closing of Nick’s.

New framed windows have been installed and the cinderblock sides have being sandblasted to give them a gray look on both E. Cross St. sides of the market. When completed, the facade on E. Cross St. will feature painted signage for tenants, accent colors, awnings, lighting, and neon wayfinding signs. An outdoor seating area, planters, and a new sidewalk around the perimeter is also planned.

CVP expects to have all of the exterior improvements completed around mid-March.

The S. Charles St. entrance and Nick’s former space in the market will not reopen until a new tenant opens in the space. The approximately 5,000 sq. ft. space is currently being gutted and full construction will start when a new tenant is signed.

CVP is in active negotiations with an “established restaurateur” to bring a new seafood concept to the S. Charles St. side of the market and it expects the deal to get done this week.

CVP Partner Arsh Mirmiran said the new concept would bring a fresh seafood dining option as well as provide a fresh fish stall for customers to purchase seafood to cook at home. He said the potential new restaurant has experience providing “high-quality” products. Mirmiran also said a rooftop deck for outdoor dining is a possibility for this potential restaurant.

Nick’s is hoping to find a new home in Federal Hill.

Phase One of Cross Street Market will likely open in late-March. This will include longtime tenants Steve’s Lunch, Fenwick Meats, and The Sweet Shoppe which will be adding Taharka Brothers Ice Cream to its offerings; and new tenants including Burger Bar from the team at Southside Diner; Vietnamese pho restaurant from Hanover Phubs; Korean concept Rice Crook; Cockeysville barbecue restaurant Smoke, which hosted a pop-up at Cross Street Market earlier this year; a Haitian cuisine farmer’s market and event business Sobeachy; and several yet-to-be-announced businesses.

Mirmiran said another announcement of new tenants is likely for next week. Cana Development is working with CVP to lease the stalls. MacKenzie is the contractor and will also be the property manager.

Cross Street Market will have one bar dedicated to craft beer with televisions, one bar dedicated to wine, and one bar dedicated to craft cocktails. Certain food vendors will also be allowed to sell alcohol.

The new interior design of Cross Street Market features a lot of new windows bringing in natural light, a polished concrete floor, black ceilings, a middle aisle, and six common seating areas.

Read SouthBMore.com’s articles detailing the different aspects of the Cross Street Market redevelopment here.