2000 – 2015
2000
On October 7th through 8th of 2000, the Exchange hosted an American Girls Pastimes Party for girls and their mothers. There were games, crafts, and more. The event was free.
Source:
Unknown title. The Baltimore Sun, 28 Sept. 2000.
On April 15, 2000, the Exchange hosted a Spring Blooms and Bunnies event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Exchange employees dressed up in bunny costumes to spread Easter and Spring cheer.
Source:
“Attractions.” The Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2000.
Mary Brown, Linda Goldberg, Demi Krznaric, and Denise Layfeild
Demi Krznaric
Linda Goldberg, the president of the Exchange at the time, and the board decided to open seven luxury apartments to help the Exchange end its monthly deficit of $3,000 to $4,000. In May of 2000, the Exchange launched another fund raising campaign in hopes of raising $487,000 to help pay for the upgraded apartments, roof replacement, tea room remodel, and kitchen repairs.
Source:
“Women’s Exchange Plans to Rent Apartments.” The Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2000.
On May 20, 2000, the Exchange was visited by filmmakers Lillian Bowers and Matt Pittroff to be filmed as part of a documentary titled “Not a Lady Among Us.” The documentary followed the history of the woman’s industrial movement and was heavily influenced by the work of Kathleen Walters Sanders. The Baltimore Exchange and its 120 years were the center focus of the film. Exchange managers, officers, consignors, waitresses, and customers were all interviewed for the documentary. On the night of November 2, 2000, “Not a Lady Among Us” premiered at the Senator Theatre. There was a reception with champagne, dessert, and even appearances of the iconic Exchange waitresses themselves.
Source:
“Film Informed by ‘Quiet Acts of Kindness.” The Baltimore Sun, 21 May 2000.
“Welcome Exchange.” The Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2020.
2001
On August 9, 2001, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski forced a $400,000 federal grant into the Senate budget language. Mikulski understood the importance of the Exchange in the economic empowerment of women as she was previously a social worker. She stated that chances are excellent that the federal grant for the Exchange will be signed into law by President Bush the following month. A lunch celebrating the prospective grant was hosted at the Exchange Monday 13, 2001. Later in 2001, the grant was approved.
Source:
“Woman’s Industrial Exchange Hoping for $400,000 U.S. Grant.” The Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2001.
2002
In 2002, the Exchange started a free partnership with a group of graduate students at the Johns Hopkins School of Professional Studies in Business and Education. The MBA students spent months analyzing the Exchange’s operations and financial record and came up with a few financial suggestions. The students suggested that the Exchange improve its marketing, highlight its rich history, open from lunch to early evening rather than from breakfast to lunch, and force customers to pay their tabs at the shop register.
Source:
“For Shop, an Unlikely Exchange.” The Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2002.
Flower Mart
2003 – 2005
From the end of 2002 to the end of 2003, the Exchange was closed for renovations costing $750,000. The renovations included new paint, modern plumbing, central air conditioning, fire sprinklers, and a new elevator. On December 1, 2003, the new and improved Exchange was reopened to the public. The renovations brought some changes such as ditching the light blue waitress dresses, more contemporary food choices on the menu, and a change in the tomato aspic recipe. Nevertheless, customers flooded through the doors and threw out praises for the Exchange.
Sources:
“Baltimore Landmark to Reopen.” The Baltimore Sun, 14 Oct. 2003.
“Tasteful Tradition Resumes.” The Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2003.
When the Exchange reopened in 2003, it placed Rosalyn (Rozz) DuPree as the new owner of the restaurant portion of the Exchange. Dupree took the job due to her mission of helping women help themselves and was dedicated to employing women entering the workforce for the first time. She created a blend of 19th century and modernity in the renovated Exchange restaurant. However, DuPree withdrew as a restaurant operator during the week of January 16, 2005 after noticing declining patronage. The last lunch was served on January 20, 2005. The lunchroom would remain closed until the Exchange found a new restaurant operator. Helen Weiss, the President of the Exchange at the time, reported both the Exchange’s and customers’ disappointment over the news.
Source:
“Serving Up Opportunity at the Exchange.” The Baltimore Sun, 17 Sept. 2004.
“A Little Less Comfort Food and Old Baltimore Style.” The Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2005.
“Serving Patrons One Last Lunch.” The Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2005.
2007
In March of 2007, the Exchange hosted a wedding dress fundraiser. More that 40 gowns, many of which were designer, were donated by Towson’s Gamberdella Salon for Brides. The designer dresses such as Vera Wang, Nicole Miller, Amsale, and Lazaro that would normally cost up to $2,500 were being sold at the Exchange for $225 each. The Exchange staff set up a “Bridal Sweet” complete with cupcakes, cookies, and champagne. The event drew women into the Exchange who would have never stepped foot into it otherwise. Jenny Hope was the president of the Exchange at this time.
Source:
“Beaded Bargains for Brides-to-Be.” The Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2007.
2009
After 2002, several outside operations came into the Exchange with new lunch concepts that never caught on with the sentimental diners. The lunchroom had stopped operating entirely in October of 2009.
2010
In 2010, the Exchange was mentioned as the most missed restaurant of the decade. People came into the shop portion of the Exchange every day and asked where the restaurant was.
2011
In November 2011, the Exchange was reopened under the management of Irene Smith. Smith promised to honor the past with the traditional menu and decor although she did rename the lunchroom to the Woman’s Industrial Kitchen. She came to the Exchange with her grandmother and knew what it meant to the Baltimore community. The lunchroom would be open on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The executive chef was Tina Perry who replicated Exchange classics such as the tomato aspic and chicken salad.
Source:
“Food truck Owner Plans to Reopen Woman’s Industrial Exchange.” The Baltimore Sun, 20 Oct. 2011.
“An Institution Returns in Glory.” The Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2012.
2014 – 2015
The Woman’s Industrial Exchange closed its doors officially in the summer of 2014, consignment shop, lunchroom, and all. Despite Smith’s efforts, the Exchange was not able to bring in enough customers to keep it in the red. Its final hurrah was when it hosted a pop-up shop displaying made-in-Baltimore items in November of 2015. It was a holiday shop that included more than 80 artisans. The building also began to be used by other organizations in 2015. The basement was used as office space for the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship and Jack and Zach Food, an organic lunch counter, rented the kitchen and restaurant space.
Source:
“Holiday Pop-Up Revives the Women’s Exchange.” The Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2015.