New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), BRP Companies and Urbane announced the opening and rebranding of Flatbush Central (formerly Flatbush Caton Market), the revitalized marketplace which has been part of the fabric of the community for more than 20 years.
The new Flatbush Central offers upgraded amenities, expanded space for food vendors — including 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 – Una S.T. Clarke, former NYC council member – who sponsored the market’s creation to build an institution for Caribbean people in Flatbush through the incubation of Caribbean businesses. Through an extensive research and design process that involved discussions with several community stakeholders, including patrons and vendors of the market, 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,” Clarke said. “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. 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.”
More than just a shopping destination, Flatbush Central represents a central place where Caribbean culture and diaspora traditions are expressed in a shared space through commerce, food, events, myriad arts and more. The market features a variety of small businesses that operate year-round.
Additionally, the market will introduce its Mangrove accelerator — an economic mobility platform and incubator program whose goal is to spur community wealth opportunities — to the site to promote the growth of new and existing small local businesses. The Mangrove at Flatbush Central will offer access to state-of-the-art shared food and culinary, natural body care and cosmetics, new media, and textile production facilities, specifically targeting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs to support the growth of their businesses. The Mangrove will provide direct, industry-specific technical assistance, access to capital, cohort-based business curriculum for informal and emerging businesses, respectively, as well as facilitate partnerships with larger corporate entities and institutions for business-to-business (B2B) opportunities.
The newly opened market is located on the ground floor of Caton Flats, a 14-story, mixed-use development containing 255 units of 100 percent affordable housing and over 20,000 square feet of community space in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Residences range in size from studios to three-bedroom and are available to a range of incomes from very low-income to middle-income households.
“Caton Flats exemplifies what can come to fruition when real estate development is custom-tailored to the needs and culture of the local community,” said Meredith Marshall, co-founder and managing partner at BRP Companies, the project’s developer. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating this grand opening, a true partnership between multiple community groups and local leaders committed to serving the Flatbush community.”
