By Nelson A. King
New York City Economic
Development Corporation (NYCEDC),
Department of Housing
Preservation and Development
(HPD), Housing Development
Corporation (HDC), BRP Companies
and Urbane on Tuesday
have announced the opening
and rebranding of Flatbush
Central — formerly Flatbush
Caton Market — the revitalized
marketplace which has been
part of the fabric of the Caribbean
community in Brooklyn
for more than 20 years.
NYCEDC said the new Flatbush
Central offers upgraded
amenities, expanded space for
food vendors — inclusive of
a Caribbean-themed food hall,
shared commercial kitchen,
bar, and lounge — and new
programming to engage entrepreneurs
and the broader community
in building connections
and celebrating the cultures of
Flatbush and Central Brooklyn.
Flatbush Central’s rebrand
was inspired by a desire to fulfill
the vision of the market’s
founder — Jamaican-born Dr.
Una S.T. Clarke, former New
York City council member —
who sponsored the market’s
creation to build an institution
for Caribbean people in Flatbush
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through the incubation
of Caribbean businesses, NYCEDC
said.
Through an extensive
research and design process that
involved discussions with several
community stakeholders,
including patrons and vendors
of the market, NYCEDC said a
new logo and brand emerged
to reflect the diversity of the
vibrant Caribbean cultures that
influence the market.
“I am delighted to see my
vision fulfilled, that vendors
and entrepreneurs from our
community now have a permanent
home which gives both
pride and dignity to those who
struggled for existence and recognition,”
said Dr. Clarke, the
first Caribbean-born woman to
be elected to New York City
Council. “The name of the new
site — Flatbush Central Caribbean
Marketplace — is fitting
because it acknowledges the
contribution that Caribbeans
have made to Flatbush and East
Flatbush.
“I have long dreamt of and
supported the aspirations of the
Caribbean people,” she added.
“As a civil rights leader at the
forefront of the community for
more than four decades, building
long-standing institutions
rather than promoting temporary
programs in our community
is of the utmost importance.
Because institutions last
while programs come and go.”
“Flatbush Central Caribbean
Market is an embodiment of
New York City’s small business
recovery,” said NYCEDC
President and Chief Executive
Officer, Rachel Loeb. “We are
excited to open the doors to this
market whose resilient vendors
celebrate the rich Caribbean
culture of this area of Brooklyn.
We are proud to have worked
with our development partners
to deliver a project that will
The Flatbush Central Caribbean Market. NYCEDC
strengthen the Caribbean and
Brooklyn communities for generations
to come.”
HPD Commissioner Adolfo
Carrión, Jr. said, “Flatbush
Central Caribbean Market is a
long-time anchor of the community,
providing culturally
significant commerce for more
than 20 years.
“We’re proud to be part of
a partnership rooted in serving
the needs of this community,”
he added. “Caton Flats,
an affordable housing development
that is currently leasing
up, will be anchored by a new
and improved Flatbush Central
Caribbean Market at the
ground floor level,” said “Congratulations
to the small businesses,
and to BRP Companies,
Urbane, EDC, HDC, and our
team at HPD for their hard
work on this great development.
We will soon cut the
ribbon on the 255 affordable
homes at Caton Flats.”
Flatbush Central Caribbean
Marketplace officially opens
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