CAMBRIDGE — Anchor Point and Fairchild Properties have come to an agreement that will be another big hit for the City of Cambridge. The old Metro Market property, at the north end of the Walmart parking lot, will be developed into another opportunity for growth, jobs and resources for Dorchester County.

Anchor Point received the property recently as a donation and began exploring ways the property could best be used for the benefit of the organization’s mission, and best for Dorchester County and the City of Cambridge. “We thought about keeping the building and using it as a community resource center,” said Anchor Point Director Alan McRae, “but eventually decided that development was the best option. This will maintain a tax base for the county and city, provide additional jobs to citizens, offer additional retail space for business, provide another development opportunity for Fairchild Properties, and provide a sustainable income for the community programs that Anchor Point offers.”

Anchor Point, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that focuses on school readiness and family engagement through partnerships with the Sandy Hill Judy Center, has a youth life skills and job training program, and works with the Department of Social Services and their clients by providing a soft skills job retention program. Anchor Point operates a family thrift store at 714 Meadow Ave. with proceeds from sales at the store being re-invested in community programs and the lives of individuals facing life challenges.

Anchor Point will retain ownership of the old Metro property for three years to fulfill IRS donation requirements. During that time they are launching the nonprofit Dorchester Square Market. “It will be the primary site where our youth life skills and job training program will take place,” said Mr. McRae. “It is a project to engage the larger community and enjoy both the natural and human resources that are so abundant here in Dorchester County, and at the same time prepare disconnected youth for lifetimes of employment opportunities that are quickly coming to Cambridge.”

Farmers, artisans and vendors who are looking for prime access to 13,000,000 vehicles that pass through town on US Rt. 50 every year are welcome to sell the produce they grow, or the items they create or provide. “We want the best of our county’s produce, our artists’ creative energies, and entrepreneurs to come and find access to many who normally drive through Cambridge on the way to the beaches without stopping,” said Mr. McRae. “This is not a flea market, but rather a marketplace to showcase the best of our community’s talents and connect with the public. Schools and churches having fundraisers for community projects are welcome.”

After three years, or when development starts, Anchor Point hopes to find a location in the county where they can continue to expand youth job training and the Dorchester Square Market, possibly to include an outdoor flea market at a new location.

Days of operation for the new Dorchester Square Market will be Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We are looking to support the Main Street Farmers Market on Thursdays and provide additional sales opportunities for our local farmers, artisans and vendors,” said Mr. McRae.

Spaces are 9’ x 19’ and are available daily for a small contribution to support the Anchor Point youth life skills and job training program. Licensed food vendors are also welcome. Opening day was June 16. Please contact the Market Manager at 443-521-5206. The email address is: Market@AnchorPointMD.org. The website is www.AnchorPointMD.org and click on the Dorchester Square Market tab. Follow Anchor Point on Facebook at Anchor Point Family Thrift Store.