Once the gem of Little Haiti, the Caribbean Marketplace returns with a sneak-peek opening on Saturday, February 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local vendors will provide fresh produce, delicacies and arts and crafts in the iconic store-front. The test-run opening marks the first time the South Florida landmark has been opened since 1997.

In collaboration with District 5 Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones, the community will be celebrating the opening with a carnival celebration on February 18, featuring a marching band, outdoor children activities, and live performances from Disip, Rara Lakay and deejay Mack from 3 pm to 8 pm.

The store-front of the marketplace will be opened every Saturday, giving South Floridians a preview of the revived space, until full renovations begin this May. Construction is planned to be completed within nine months.

"The inside will be gutted out. It's going to have a completely different look," says Tracy Lozama of the Little Haiti Cultural Center. Lozama however promises that the market will keep its beloved appearance, with its signature peaks and Caribbean market vibe. "The outside will remain pretty much as vibrant as it is now."

The return of the Caribbean Marketplace marks renewed efforts to boost tourism while preserving Little Haiti's history. The only building in South Florida to win the American Institute of Architects' national honor award, the structure was designed by Haitian-American Charles Harrison Pawley and inspired by the famed Iron Market in Port-au-Prince. The city of Miami briefly considered tearing down the building to make way for the community center, but left the site intact after public protests.

Spearheaded by Commissioner Spence Jones, the restoration is also a part of the BELIEVE campaign, a community campaign seeking to inspire pride and productivity in Miami.