Block Party To Celebrate Reopening Of Brooklyn's Caribbean Market

BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklynites who haven't yet visited the revitalized version of Flatbush's longtime Caribbean market are in luck.

The new market — which opened its doors in February after years in a temporary location — is holding a grand opening celebration this weekend with a block party-style lineup of events.

The weekend celebration will reintroduce neighbors to dozens of vendors, many of whom were set up at the market before its rebranding from Flatbush Caton Market to "Flatbush Central."

The market had been running from a secondary location before moving back to the ground floor of a a 14-story affordable housing complex the city built at the site, which sits on the Flatbush and Prospect Lefferts Gardens border.

"After almost 5 years away from its historic home, the Flatbush Central Caribbean Marketplace ... returns bigger and better than ever," an invitation for the grand opening reads.

Caton Market was first founded in 2000 by the first Caribbean-born woman elected to the city's legislature, Dr. Una S.T. Clarke.

Its reopening includes 29 of the original vendors and a line-up of new businesses, "Caribbean and global cuisine food hall" with two bars and lounges, a studio and a tasting kitchen.

The grand opening celebration will kick off at 11 a.m. on Friday and run through Saturday.

Here's what to know:

WHERE: 2123 Caton Ave.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, May 13 and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 14

WHAT:

Friday:

All Day - Marketplace Shopping and Dining!
10:30 a.m. - Tropical Fete Steel Pan Performance & Moko Jumbie (Plaza)
11 a.m. - Ribbon Cutting (By Invitation Only)
1 p.m. - Alegba and Friends: Haitian Folk Music and Drumming (Plaza)
1 p.m. - Epis Marinade Cooking Demonstration (Studio Kitchen)
1 p.m. - Collage and Printing Workshop (Design Lab)
4 p.m. - Picture Day! - Free headshots/fam photos (Design Lab)
6:30 p.m. - Fireside Chat at Lakay Lounge - Nurturing and Growing Caribbean Business
7 p.m. - Mangrove Kitchen Food and Drink Open House

Saturday:

All Day - Marketplace Shopping and Dining!
12 p.m. - Haitian Tea Party – Healing Herbs Workshop (Studio Kitchen)
1 p.m. - The PISTE Fencing Academy – Fencing Demonstration (Plaza)
2 p.m. - Nadege Fleurimond Tasting Experience - BuNan Preview (Studio Kitchen)
2 p.m. - Bohio Music (Plaza)
2 p.m. - Jaden Timoun: Kreyol Play Date Storytime with Children and Families (Lakay Lounge)
2 p.m. - Art of Soap Making: An Intermediate Soap Making Class (Body Care Lab)
2PM - Green Screen Video Shoot // Grove Podcast Live! (Design Lab)
4 p.m. - Dance N Drip with Empress Cece (Plaza)
4 p.m. - Selecta / DJ Ayanna Heaven (Food Hall/Rude Gal Bar)
4 p.m. - Flatbush Mixtape: Reading of A Caribbean Graphic Nove (Lakay Lounge)
5 p.m. - Curry Powder Making Workshop (Studio Kitchen)
5 p.m. - Design Lab Info Session // Printing Workshop - DIY Flagwear (Design Lab)
6 p.m. - Drums and Bugles International Bands, Inc. (Plaza)
6 p.m. - Fireside Chat at Lakay Lounge: Caribbean Aesthetic: Architecture, Design, and Memory
6 p.m. - Double Barrel Rum Tasting (Rude Gal Bar)