Meals on Wheels operation relocating to West Baltimore

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In a move that its real estate firm dubbed the “cherry on top” of Edmondson Village Shopping Center’s $40 million strategy, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland‘s corporate headquarters will relocate to the development.

“We have been studying our growth trajectory for more than a decade and particularly noticed a substantial increase in the people we were serving daily during the pandemic, which has sustained since 2020,” Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland Executive Director and CEO Stephanie Archer-Smith said in an April 22 news release.

“The daily volume of people served has ballooned more than 35 percent from the 1800 level, which placed an enormous strain on our staff facility, especially the kitchen area. The entire operation was stretched to the point where it became critical to find an expanded space. We are extremely lucky to have a loyal and passionate staff, and they deserve to have a comfortable place to work.”

Acquired by TREND Community Development Corporation in 2023, Edmondson Village Shopping Center will house grocers, restaurants and other retailers, including ALDI, Charley’s Cheesesteaks, Dunkin’, Quickway Japanese and DTLR. 

In addition, Ascension St. Agnes Hospital announced plans to open a new site in the shopping center located at 4400 Edmondson Ave.

Founded in 1960, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland has operated at its current facility since 1991, according to news release from MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services. The nonprofit intends to break ground on the new facility in late spring with expected opening date in late 2027.

Meals on Wheels delivers more than 5,000 meals daily and more than 1.4 million annually, according to the release. Its Central Maryland division serves Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

The relocation is expected to bring an estimated 150 jobs to the Edmondson Village community. Meals on Wheels has outgrown its existing 15,000-square-foot site in Highlandtown, MacKenzie executive Henry Deford said.

“Bringing nearly 150 jobs to West Baltimore City is extremely significant, given the positive spin-off impact it will have on local business and the community,” Deford said in a statement. 

“In addition, Edmondson Village’s location near major roadways including MD Route 40 and Interstate 695 will enable the swift delivery of meals to its audience and stakeholders each day.”

This story has been updated.