A food hall is opening in West Baltimore in hopes of revitalizing the area.

Vendors began opening at The Mill on North this week for lunch and dinner in preparation for the grand opening April 24 at 10 a.m., according to Dan Ellis, CEO of the nonprofit Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, part-owners of the concept with Coppin Heights Community Development Corp.

The total cost for the project was approximately $5 million. Federal, state and local government agencies, along with various philanthropies, have collectively contributed just over $2 million to the project. According to Ellis, there is about $3 million of debt financed by the Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund, NeighborWorks Capital and NHS of Baltimore on the project.

“The success of the Mill results from a strong partnership of residents in the surrounding community along with amazing support from Coppin State University located adjacent to the Mill and commitment from everyone involved with the project to ensure it serves the community well,” Ellis told The Baltimore Sun in an email.

The current vendors at the 7,800-square-foot hall located at 2636 West North Ave. — less than a quarter mile from Coppin State — consist of:

D&B Deli features sandwiches, salads, smoothies and more.

Dream Street Cuisine serves seafood ranging from crabby patties to a shrimp and sausage po’ boy.

Three Chefs has a Caribbean brunch available all day with dishes such as a salmon BLT.

Next Phase opens another location, serving up include mac and cheese, catfish and other soul food.

Double Stack Burger offers beef, turkey and veggie burgers.

Krazy Sweet Cafe’s baked goods can be paired with Baltimore’s Taharka Brothers Ice Cream.

Cocktails at the Mill boasts craft beer, wines and cocktails.

“It is filling a void in the west North Avenue area, which is a food desert, particularly for what we do because there are no bakeries,” said Shanea Shay, an owner of Krazy Sweet Cafe, in an email. “There is no where for people to get sweet treats or cakes or things of that nature. There is really nothing up and down in that area of North Avenue for people to be able to get food.”

Richardson grew up four blocks from The Mill and served as the project lead and a consultant. She said The Mill will have a large impact on the area as far as revitalization.

“The Mill on North is more than a place to eat — it’s a bold affirmation that West North Avenue is worthy of investment, revival, and celebration,” Richardson said. “It’s a love letter to the people who live, work, and dream here, created for and with the community that calls Baltimore home.”

The property operated as the Walbrook Lumber Yard for many years before relocating from the site in 2009, which left the building vacant until the current ownership group purchased it in 2018.

“The Mill wants to ensure that the West Baltimore community has a preferred place to dine with their friends and family beyond Grand Opening for the long term,” Ellis said.

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