Flatbush Caton Market

Based on the volume at which they blast the music at the Flatbush Caton Market you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s Carnival, the 4^th of July, or Cinco De Mayo. Nope: It’s just Wednesday. I understand the need to promote this struggling market, but making people who either work at home, have babies trying to sleep, or maybe even sleep during the day (and work at night) suffer through 327 play-​throughs of «Hot, Hot, Hot!» every day is enough to make anyone lose his mind.
Dear Market, you could have the volume at half your normal levels and it would still sound like a ****ing KISS concert. I realize a majority of the people in the neighborhood are from the islands and I admire that lively island spirit, but this is ridiculous. Imagine if someone opened a marketplace across the street and played heavy metal all day long at your volumes? I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t enjoy it, especially after it runs on an hour past closing time. Most businesses who blast music at neighborhood-​disrupting volumes have a cabaret license. Somehow I doubt the Market has a cabaret license.
Moreover, Wikipedia has an entry for this marketing tactic, and it’s called «Music in psychological operations.» You may recall that The U.S. Army used such tactics in the Iraq War, blasting Metallica for the purpose of sleep and sensory deprivation against the Iraqi Army. It was remarkably effective then, and it is remarkably effective now.
Please consider turning it down a bit for the children who are trying to do their homework, the babies who can’t sleep because you’re blasting those ragga riddims like Shabba Ranks just moved in, and residents who are never going to enter your establishment because the music level is obnoxious. And I’m a DJ! Can you imagine that? A genuine DJ is telling you you’re way too loud. Welcome to reality! Surely you can proudly celebrate the varied cultures the Market represents at half the volume. We all know you’re there. No need to punish all of us for it.
I can’t wait until this place is a bowling alley.

It’s unfortunate that this haphazard collection of tired, dusty stalls is occupying such a large footprint in a neighborhood that is in sore need of businesses that provide actual value to its denizens. Not only is an entire city block dedicated to the sale of a few faded Guyanese flags and sticks of incense, but there is extremely loud music pumped out of a speaker at its entrance all day, every day. Proprietorship obviously cares nothing for the needs or comfort of its neighbors. If you’re going to command the attention of the entire neighborhood by disrupting its quiet enjoyment, at least provide goods and services that make sense.

Sorry to say that this really felt like a waste of time.
As we entered the market early on a Sunday afternoon, we were quite open to any kind of thing… what we found at the Caton Market was pretty lackluster, though. Most of the stalls looked like they’d been closed for months, and the few that were open were only selling a small variety of goods: flags, incense, flags in the form of dresses, and flags in the form of boxers. There were also mats to put on the floor of your car that had flags and emblems in them… kind of an odd place for a flag, I know… but some folks feel the need to step on Guyana’s flag while driving. Go figure.
We left pretty disappointed… and hungry.
This place would be great if there were food vendors here on the regular. Hope they do something cool with the place in the future.

There is a new catering company that just opened in the Vendor’s Market, and set up a little café near the South-​side entrance. They have a full-​size lunch, salad, and juice Lunch Special for $ 7. Get it! Tomorrow!

This open market has many of the same features of markets at carribbean cruise ports. Vendors selling west indian products like fresh spices at great prices, black seed soap, clothing, jewlery, music and more.
It is just 3 blocks from the drum circle in prospect park near the parkside entrance and well worth a look if you are i the neighborhood. There is a municipal parking lot adjacent to the market.

You may find nick knacks in here. Its just a small building with individual retailers selling their goods. The products always change. The retailers rent the booth to sell their goods. The market is predominantly Haitian. I dont buy any food products in here. I may need a candle or a cloth, or a french toothpaste, they have little things. «Nick knacks»