#NNPA BlackPress

Lidl supermarket coming to East Baltimore as part of Perkins-Somerset-Oldtown transformation

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com The East Baltimore community is getting a new grocery store. Lidl is set to become an anchor tenant in the Perkins-Somerset-Oldtown (PSO) Transformation plan. PSO residents have long faced a dearth of walkable, healthy food sources, all the while being able to easily access liquor and corner stores. […]
The post Lidl supermarket coming to East Baltimore as part of Perkins-Somerset-Oldtown transformation first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 year ago

October 28, 2023

AFRO Staff

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

The East Baltimore community is getting a new grocery store. Lidl is set to become an anchor tenant in the Perkins-Somerset-Oldtown (PSO) Transformation plan.

PSO residents have long faced a dearth of walkable, healthy food sources, all the while being able to easily access liquor and corner stores. Lidl, which is set to break ground in 2024, will be an oasis among the food desert conditions in the area.

“I can remember coming up in Baltimore, and if you were on Harford and Federal there was a Super Pride. If you were on Patterson Park and Chase, there was another Super Pride. If you were in the Church Square shopping center there was another supermarket,” said Maryland State Sen. Cory McCray (D- Dist. 45). “To watch these supermarkets remove themselves over the period of time that I’ve been living has been challenging. You wrestle with these types of things because you know so many things are tied to lack of access to healthy food options, such as obesity.”

McCray procured capital for the project through his Somerset Grocery Store Initiative, securing $1 million in Maryland’s fiscal year 2023 budget and $300,000 in the state’s FY 2024 budget. As it can be challenging to attract grocers to underserved urban areas, this funding served to incentivize Lidl.

“At the end of the day, they think about their bottom line, and there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s what they’re supposed to do,” said McCray. “You have to have a certain level of density. These problems are not complex on the outskirts of the city in the Northern part of Baltimore. It’s the heart of East Baltimore and West Baltimore where the density is not there.”

The broader PSO Transformation project will deliver more than 1,300 housing units—a fact McCray thinks provides a strong argument for the foot traffic Lidl will experience. He also noted that the grocery store will attract residents from nearby communities, like Johnston Square, Latrobe Homes and McElderry Park.

The family- and minority-owned Henson Development Co. is one of the leading developers on the PSO project and oversaw the deal with Lidl. Principal and vice president Dana Henson began talks with the company in 2017. At that point, the PSO site was mostly grass and dirt.

She said it was difficult to communicate Baltimore’s unique food-shopping habits to the grocer.

“I think unless you live in Baltimore, you don’t really understand the intricacies of Baltimore grocery shopping. I’ve lived in other cities as well, and we’re different here,” said Henson. “When I’ve lived in other cities, I shop at the grocery store closest to me, but I find that in Baltimore, we shop all over. We go to different grocery stores to get different things.”

Henson thinks by 2019, Lidl began to see and understand her vision. At that point, Henson Development Co. had opened the first section of Somerset Homes at 1234 McElderry St.

“I think it was more real for them to be able to see the project that I was previously showing them on paper,” said Henson. “Then they could also see that we were coming out of the ground on two other buildings because we started two and three around the same time.”

When the deal was finalized, she said it was difficult to relax after being entrenched in day-to-day negotiations for so long. But she said now is when the real work begins.

“I think developing at a high level for us, especially in the affordable sector, is important. But, to me, being able to provide healthy food to this area is one of the most impactful things that we can do. It’s long overdue,” said Henson. “I think it’s more than just providing a grocer to the area. It’s providing a full-service grocery store to a food desert, and it’s a proud achievement. It’s also delivering on the promises made to the community since 2015.”

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

The post Lidl supermarket coming to East Baltimore as part of Perkins-Somerset-Oldtown transformation appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers .

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

The post Lidl supermarket coming to East Baltimore as part of Perkins-Somerset-Oldtown transformation first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

AFRO Staff

Posts by AFRO Staff

Up Next

Davis, Clarke, Jackson, Kelly Create Caucus for Predominantly Black Institutions

Don't Miss

At Age 13, He Was an Avid Volunteer who Wanted to be a Pastor and an Engineer. A Stranger’s Bullets Destroyed Those Dreams

AFRO Staff

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org