About Us

Blooms Alley  Shoppes was inspired by a small community of poor black families off of Jonathan St. in Hagerstown, MD that was torn down over 50 years ago.  Currently, the Blooms Alley community would be considered Henry Ave-Bethel Gardens Hagerstown,MD.  

Blooms Alley really was more than a community it was like one big family.  While they may not of had it all it felt like they did.  There were several families that resided in the community including the Campbell Family.  Mrs. Flora Bell Campbell, the matriarch of the Campbell family and mother of 10 kids would have considered herself to be a small business women back in her day.  She sold boot-legged liquor to support her family.  Mrs. Jane Campbell was also another "business-women" of her community by selling fried chicken and potato salad.  She was famous for her fried chicken backs, a delicacy the Campbell family loves to this day! 

The image to the right is a digital remake of an original photo of some of the Campbell family members in front of Mama Flora's home at the corner of Blooms Alley and Jonathan St.  Mama's home was a small 2 story cabin with an outhouse.  Outside Mama Flora was known to always have a yard full of chickens, a mean rooster and if your lucky you might catch her outside wringing a chickens neck for dinner. 

Blooms alley sat on a large hill.  So it was also known as one of the best sledding places in the Jonathan St community.  On a cold snowy day you could always find the neighborhood kids sledding down the huge hill.