Brooklyn businesses prepare ahead of highly anticipated Jouvert Festival and West Indian Day parade
For businesses like Mr. P's Ice Cream in East Flatbush, Labor Day weekend is considered peak time for business.
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Businesses throughout Brooklyn went through preparations during Labor Day weekend ahead of the highly anticipated Jouvert Festival and the West Indian Day parade.
For businesses like Mr. P's Ice Cream in East Flatbush, Labor Day weekend is considered peak time for business.
“It's like the best time of the year,” said Dwayne Regrello, co-founder of Mr. P’s Ice Cream. “The summer is finished and so we get a lot of business. The last-minute people, people before they go back to school. It's great for us.”
As a Caribbean-owned ice cream shop, reminding people of home with every taste is the goal - but also building community. And there's no better time for that than now.
“Every Labor Day, we stay open to about 11, 12 at night,” said Regrello. “Because people want to get lit. Then they want some ice cream at the same time. It's like a big family reunion to me, because every Caribbean is just a cousin. We all have the same custom, the same foods. We just call it something different.”
In the heart of Little Caribbean, it’s almost impossible to find a spot that doesn’t look forward to Labor Day weekend. Whether it's the popular Allan’s Bakery, Labay Market or newcomers Antille’s Cafe.
“Last year, we set up a tent and did some late-night service and it was amazing,” said Dru Goicochea, co-owner of Antille’s Cafe. “I think as great as last year was, this year is going to be double or triple that.”
The cafe is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Sept. 28.
