Robin Godwin: Maryland Farm Store ‘Rooster & Hen’ to Relocate From Catonsville to the Cross Street Market

The Cross Street Market team of Caves Valley Partners, CANAdev, and MacKenzie announced today that Catonsville family-run grocery store Rooster & Hen will relocate to a 1,800-plus sq. ft. space within the market. Rooster & Hen will take the large, currently-vacant space at the southeast corner of the market adjacent to the Light St. entrance.

Rooster & Hen opened in Catonsville in 2016 as a small food market specializing in local, organic produce. It has since expanded its product selection and became a venue for live music and art workshops, as well as pop-ups and other events featuring emerging local food artisans and small businesses.

Owners Joseph McRedmond and Allison Smith previously vended at two different Catonsville farmers markets. Their bond over the need for easy access to locally-grown food inspired them to establish a brick-and-mortar location together. McRedmond and Smith live in Catonsville with their three kids.

In their new space, directly across from Ceremony Coffee, Rooster & Hen will sell fresh produce and flowers; pantry items including condiments, herbs and spices, baking needs, bulk nuts, and snacks; pickles and ferments; baked goods and snacks; frozen foods; and a selection of house-made prepared foods.

Lucky Pantry, the store’s home delivery meal kit, will continue to operate throughout the transition. It will also expand to include an in-store pick up option at Cross Street Market. Rooster & Hen will also launch an online ordering site to allow customers to order food for same day pick-up.

The new store will feature a full kitchen, as well space to host to local food pop-ups and cooking classes, among other events.

The store’s design will reflect the “idyllic setting that inspired the store’s mission: Maryland farms,” according to a press release. Customers “will feel like they’re entering a beautiful barn, and be greeted by locally grown flowers and a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Rooster & Hen will have a half wall around the permitter of the space and barn doors above the wall that will slide open when the store is open.

“Rooster & Hen is the feather in the cap we have been seeking for Cross Street Market,” said Arsh Mirmiran, partner at Caves Valley Partners, in a press release. “We have said all along that Cross Street will remain a public market, rather than a food hall, and Rooster & Hen will effectively offer all of the remaining market categories we have been seeking. Coupled with our existing butcher, Fenwick Meats, and the forthcoming fresh seafood market by Atlas Restaurant Group, the Market will have even more fresh food offerings than it did prior to its redevelopment.”

In a statement, McRedmond and Smith said, “We cannot be more thrilled to join the family at Cross Street Market. Becoming a part of the historic legacy is an honor. The Federal Hill community holds a special place in our hearts and has been the setting for some of our fondest memories. We look forward to meeting all of our new customers and friends!”

Open so far at Cross Street Market is legacy tenants Fenwick’s Choice Meats, Steve’s Lunch, and The Sweet Shoppe; as well as newcomers Annoula’s Kitchen, Cans Filling Station, Ceremony Coffee, Ono Poké, Phubs, Royal Farms, and Taco Love Grill. Burger Bar, Pizza di Joey, Rice Crook, and Sobeachy are currently under construction. Alex Smith’s Atlas Restaurant Group will open an approximately 5,000 sq. ft. seafood restaurant and fresh seafood stall at the market next year at the S. Charles St. entrance.

At this time, three stalls remain available for lease.

Rooster & Hen is slated to open early this fall. Its current store in Catonsville will close in September.

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