It’s back in business!
The beloved Flatbush Caton Market reopens today inside a temporary space in its eponymous nabe with back-to-back special events featuring locals’ favorite vendors from the old location and some newcomers, too, according to a spokeswoman.
The two-day festivities at the Caribbean shopping center’s new home at 2184 Clarendon Rd. will include tons of island-inspired cuisine and activities to reacquaint past patrons and first-time customers with the market, which shuttered last summer ahead of the city-backed redevelopment of its former site.
“We want to welcome people who never walked into the marketplace before, as well as those who may geographically know the space, but have never engaged with the vendors,” said spokeswoman Stephanie Pierre. “We hope to attract to them all.”
The grand reopening kicks off this evening with a game night hosted by cooks from the Caribbean personal-chef service The Reggae Chefs. And the party continues tomorrow with activities for tots including free face painting, hair braiding, and a Carnival-crown-making workshop.
All but two of the market’s original vendors packed up and moved into the new facility, according to Pierre, who said the sellers are excited to reconnect with shoppers.
“It’s exciting for every single person,” said Pierre. “This brand new facility offers a new slate.”
Flatbush Caton Market’s former location, at Flatbush and Caton avenues, closed so developers could begin work on a 14-story, 225-unit building on the site. The tower will also boast a new ground-floor home for the market, which will return when construction is complete.
Celebrate the reopening of Flatbush Caton Market (2184 Clarendon Rd. between Flatbush Avenue and E. 23rd Street in Flatbush). Jan. 26, 4–8 pm and Jan. 27, 2–7 pm. Free.
