I thought this day would never come. This neighborhood was ignored and forgotten for decades.
These sentiments gave way to a loud cheer as community leaders, public officials and vendors cut the celebratory ribbon that marked the opening of a food hall in West Baltimore. The Mill on North was finally here, it was real, and it was designed by and for the West Baltimore community, from the name to each business represented in the food hall. Every one of the more than half a dozen fo
od and beverage stands has a deep connection to West Baltimore.
The crowd was filled with supporters – families hoping to build generational wealth through their business, Coppin State University workers excited about a variety of lunch options right next to campus, Coppin State University students elated to cash in their meal plan dollars with a 10% discount, and most of all, long-time residents excited to have a place to gather and break bread without leaving their community.
NHS of Baltimore, one of the first NeighborWorks network organizations, and Coppin Heights CDC partnered together on this project and the two organizations are now the proud owners of a for-profit business that has kept the community at the center of every decision from day one. It’s an example of the way NeighborWorks America and the network not only build homes, but build businesses and build communities.
“We’re really excited to reach this day,” said Dan Ellis, executive director of NHS of Baltimore. “This journey began six years ago when the community said, ‘We want to have a place to have dinner together as a family.’” 
Ellis shared a story about a celebration two years ago that took place on the Mill site when it was mostly still gravel. “At the end of the night, one of the neighbors came up to me and said, ‘I’ve lived in this neighborhood for over 20 years and decided last week I was going to put my house on the market. And she said ‘After tonight, I decided to stay.’”
"The Mill on North is a shining example of how community spaces can be transformed into vibrant hubs of economic opportunity and neighborhood pride,” shared Ramona Johnson, senior relationship manager from NeighborWorks America. “NeighborWorks is proud to have NHS of Baltimore as a network member committed to revitalizing communities and changing lives. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, I encourage you to stop by — enjoy a delicious meal, take a seat, and experience the spirit of community in action."
Among the speakers was Chef Dae, owner of Dream Street Cuisine, who received the call from project manager April Richardson nearly a decade ago asking if she might be interested in adding her business to the food hall. “I got off the phone ecstatic,” she shared. Over the next few years, there was progress. Other days, things seemed to stand still, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to bring progress to a halt. She admitted that there were days where she felt like giving up. But the vision, she said, “Was way deeper than me... When the money ran out, passion kept me going. When the noise got loud, I blocked it all out.”
Korey Spellman, who works with Eagle Card at Coppin State, is also a Coppin State alumnus. “This mill is very important to our community,” he said. “It gives our community more options to eat.” He described it as an oasis in the food desert that surrounds the campus. Before the food hall, students and families would have to travel to share a restaurant meal.
“It gives our community more places to sit and relax and have a good time. It’s a way to get off campus and to bring the community together as well.”
Crystal Jackson Parker, a community leader representing Coppin Heights CDC, was glad to be at the grand opening – and not just for the food. “It’s important that we be able to underscore and highlight organizations in community collaboratively working and elevating what the community needs.” Like NHS of Baltimore, Coppin Heights CDC works alongside the community to envision and bring about change. In this case, they worked together. “Everything about today is the essence of community,” she said.
April Richardson, the savvy serial entrepreneur behind the first food hall in Prince George’s County shared her personal pivot from focusing on profit because “Dan [Ellis] taught me purpose.” For every hold up, delay, issue, and decision, we went back to the purpose.”
As the event ended, Ellis looked around the hall, now clear of visitors but still filled with people from the community, eating, drinking and enjoying the space. “The purpose,” he said, “is this. This was planned, built and opened for this community.”
