The History of Northwood

Northwood Shopping Center preliminary drawing and elevation plan.

June 30th 1949, General Contractor Ring Engineering Company along with Ehrhardt & May Inc. begins to excavate basement bays for Northwood Shopping Center.

Workers from Potts & Callahan, a Baltimore-based contractor, lay and distribute asphalt for Food Fair parking lot.

Northwood Theatre opened and premiered the American Technicolor adventure film "Last of the Buccaneers."

June 7th 1951 – Founded by Samuel Friedland in the late 1920’s in Harrisburg, PA, "Reading Giant Quality Price Cutter" changed their name to "Food Fair" upon expansion in the late 1940’s. As of 1957, Food Fair had 275 stores including the one pictured here inside of Northwood Shopping Center, and at its peak the chain had more than 500 stores. During the 1960’s, Food Fair enjoyed great success, eventually leading to the acquisition of Philadelphia- based chain "Best Markets." Best Markets’ private label brand "Pantry Pride" served as affordable top seller across multiple categories, eventually leading Food Fair to rebrand new stores under the name "Pantry Pride." By 1970, Food Fair had converted most of its stores to the Pantry Pride banner.

June 7th, 1951 – Popular comedy film "You’re in the Navy Now" premiered at the Northwood Theatre.

June 7th, 1951 – A bustling Thursday evening at Northwood Shopping Center. In 1951, along with Food Fair and the Northwood Theatre the center was anchored by Reads Drug & Soda as well as SS Kresge Co – a large discount department store which later became Kmart. Northwood Shopping Center also featured a laundry service, beauty salon, restaurant, caterer, candy store, shoe repair and dentist. Other stores that joined after opening were a bank, Arundel Ice Cream Co, a jeweler, a florist and a barber.

Aerial Photo of Northwood Shopping Center.

Rendering of proposed Hecht’s Company first suburban store which featured a rooftop restaurant. Hecht’s opened in late 1954 to anchor the Northwood Shopping Center.

February 19, 1963: Members of Morgan State University’s Civic Interest Group were denied entry in protest of anti-segregation laws. Photo Source: The Baltimore Sun Media Group - photographer William L. LaForce.

September 1975 - The Northwood Shopping Center was sold to partners Paul Diamond, David Diamond, Ben Schuster and Sam Gloger. The Diamond and Schuster families also owned Baltimore-based grocery chain Food-A-Rama. Pictured: Ben Schuster, Paul Diamond and David Diamond with winners of a Pepsi-Cola Shopping Spree.

August 1981 – Food Fair / Pantry Pride fell victim to financial problems and sold 11 of the 18 Baltimore-area stores to the Baltimore-based Food-A-Rama owned and operated by the Diamond and Schuster families. After the acquisition, most of the stores were renamed Super Super Foods.

Northwood Shopping Center underwent major renovations including the transformation and expansion of Baltimore City’s first ever drive thru McDonald’s between Havenwood Road and Argonne Drive.

Picture of Northwood Plaza pre-demolition in 2018.

November 1st, 2018 Developers and local elected officials host ground breaking event featuring Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford, Baltimore City Mayor Jack Young and Morgan State University President Dr. David Wilson.