On February 24, the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore is set to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the city’s latest culinary hotspot, the Day & Night Exotic Cereal Bar, nestled in the historic Women’s Exchange building located at 333 N. Charles St.
This exciting venture marks the first of seven dining concepts debuting in conjunction with the Baltimore Culinary Exchange (BCX) grant initiative, which is managed by the Downtown Partnership.
Rather than occupying the former Exchange space, which was home to a modest restaurant famous for its tomato aspic, deviled eggs, and waitresses sporting beehive hairstyles, this exotic cereal bar has found its place on the Pleasant Street side of the building, previously occupied by Jack and Zach’s. The entrance features a vibrant pink and turquoise color scheme, with a matching sign overhead.
Originally launched in Santa Monica, California, the Day & Night Exotic Cereal Bar is recognized nationwide for its delightful milkshakes and desserts that showcase over 100 cereal varieties. Customers can indulge in an array of options, including cereal waffles, donuts, cupcakes, and ice cream bowls. This location marks the brand’s first foray into Baltimore, managed by operators Noel Warner and Brandi Forte.
The Baltimore Culinary Exchange program aims to stimulate culinary growth and drive foot traffic to the area. It offers financial assistance to both new and established restaurants, food entrepreneurs, and culinary businesses situated within the 106-block business improvement district overseen by the Downtown Partnership.
In July, Mayor Brandon Scott and Downtown Partnership President Shelonda Stokes unveiled that 22 food-based businesses, including the Day & Night Exotic Cereal Bar, would receive a total of $1 million in grants from this program, which is financed by the Mayor’s Downtown Rise strategic plan, benefiting from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Founded in 1880, the Woman’s Industrial Exchange was part of a nationwide effort to empower women by allowing them to sell their handcrafted goods, such as charming sock monkeys, which were popular baby gifts. Offering a consignment shop along with a restaurant famed for its comforting dishes and warm service, it became a favorite locale for downtown workers and shoppers. Until its closure in 1999, the restaurant was cherished for providing a sense of Old Baltimore, making it a preferred venue for employers to treat new hires to lunch.
This five-story building, recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally built in 1815 as a private residence before being expanded into a boarding house by 1860. The Exchange acquired the property in 1899, giving its name to the building.
In 2020, the Exchange closed its doors after 140 years. Now known as the Women’s Exchange, the building is operated by an affiliate of the Marian House, a non-profit organization focused on supporting women as they transition from dependence to independence. According to state land records, the property is owned by MH at the WIE LLC, while the upper floors have been converted into apartments.
The official ribbon-cutting celebration for the Day & Night Exotic Cereal Bar will take place on February 24, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
