The 1882
charter states that the
Woman's Industrial Exchange in
Baltimore, MD endeavors “by sympathy and practical aid to encourage and help needy women to help themselves by procuring for them and establishing a sales room for the sale of Women's Work”. It has been in continual operation ever since. It is a combination
consignment store featuring fine needle work, crafts and baked goods and a breakfast / lunch room. It was originally founded to provide a place for
Civil War widows to make some money by selling their goods in a “proper” setting.