Baltimore’s First Black- and Woman-Owned Bodega Brings Chopped Cheese Culture to Fells Point

The spirit of the corner store just got a Baltimore remix.

Chopped Broadway Bodega & Deli, the city’s first Black- and woman-owned bodega, officially opened its doors in Fells Point, bringing a taste of New York chopped cheese culture infused with hometown pride, Black Enterprise reports. Co-owners Ernestine Chambers and Naté Gordon are making history, offering Baltimore residents not just meals, but a vibrant culinary experience rooted in community.

"We had this opportunity to make history today and also put a store with fresh food in Fells Point," Chambers told reporters. And history it truly was. On May 2nd, the duo celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the arrival of a neighborhood bodega designed to uplift both taste buds and the local economy.

A Menu for Every Appetite

At Chopped Broadway, the menu is stacked as high as the hoagies. From New York staples like chopped cheese and bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches to options for every diet, the bodega serves as a haven for hungry locals. Their best-selling “Godfather” sandwich, vegan options, and gluten-free, non-GMO selections ensure that every visitor finds something delicious and accessible.

"So we have a little bit of everything for everybody," Gordon said. "We have huge, ginormous hoagies, New York style—they are all chopped fresh. We have the Godfather, which is our No. 1 seller. It is our spin on the Italian."

A Business with Purpose

Chopped Broadway is more than food—it’s community empowerment in action. By hiring 98% locally, the bodega has surpassed employment expectations while providing meaningful opportunities for residents. In a neighborhood where nearly 17% of the population is Black, Chambers and Gordon are proving that minority-owned businesses can be engines of economic and cultural growth.

"More importantly, we have an organic section as well as a vegan sandwich because most of the time when you come into a convenience store, you rarely see healthy choices or options," Chambers explained. "So we have a non-GMO section and gluten-free options."

Making History Beyond the Menu

As minority-owned businesses flourish across Maryland, Chopped Broadway exemplifies what it means to blend culture, cuisine, and opportunity. Governor Wes Moore declared Maryland the No. 1 state for minority businesses in 2024, and this bodega is a living testament to that growth.

"That’s what Chopped is about: food, culture, and opportunity," Chambers said.

From freshly chopped hoagies to community-focused hiring practices, Chopped Broadway Bodega & Deli is doing more than serving sandwiches—it’s making history, building community, and celebrating culture. In Fells Point, the corner store has transformed into a beacon of flavor, freedom, and fresh beginnings—one chopped cheese