Creating Opportunity and Removing Barriers

We have transformed an abandoned 12,000 sq ft industrial warehouse, into a vibrant, beautiful 27,000 sq ft multi-business complex. The 1.4 acres, 40 years ago was the "Les Alumettes SA" known all over Haiti as the Match Factory. The newly created 2nd floor will host retail shops, 2nd Story Goods, class rooms and a conference auditorium. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, hosting a garden center and artisan village promoting local artisans. The spirit of excellence demonstrated in the MPG will be an invitation to every business and aspiring entrepreneur. The 100+ jobs created give virtue to this project, but the larger impact is the transformational environment that will lead the way to change through a culture of possibilities. Market Place Gonaives will call Gonaives to its Historical roots of change in Haiti.

September 2024, Market Place Gonaives began a new chapter! .

8 years ago we joined forces with our Haitian friends in the city and beautiful dreamers in the States, and together we crafted a vision of creating a vibrant commerce center in Gonaives, Haiti.

The vision came to life with so many hands coming together! Some gave economic support, some helped with plumbing, landscaping and in so many other ways! And we watched the old Match Factory transform from a dilapidated shell of a building to 25,000 square feet of beautiful space for economic development for the beloved Gonaives community.

We quickly leased 30% of the space to local business owners and grew excited as the grocery began to occupy and build out the additional space.

(Plot twist-Heart stop!) Hope began its battle with uncertainty
Enter, Covid 19 pandemic and increased civil unrest in Port au Prince.

The next 3 years would test MUCH to its limits.

Promised “Grand Opening” dates and rental income from the Grocery came and went with each season. Civil unrest increased, to the point that travel to and from Port au Prince was no longer safely possible. We took steps to terminate the contract with the grocery and found ourselves tangled in the Haitian legal system.

Now almost two years later, after a favorable court ruling, we are transferring ownership of MPG to a consortium in Gonaives. This group includes current tenants, local business owners, and many past and present affiliates of MUCH, employees, artisans, and friends who helped us all along. Last Tuesday, through a Power of Attorney in Gonaives, I signed Market Place Gonaives over to this group. They are grateful and excited to continue the vision MUCH had intended, to see economic possibilities open to the families of the city. And to relieve the suffering caused by poverty by creating a means for financial stability.

This is easily one of the best-case scenarios possible, given the unimaginably difficult circumstances of Haiti. True, we did not envision the path that got us here at the beginning of this journey, but our mantra of “Creating Opportunities and Removing Barriers” has been realized! In many ways, this is our highest vision and greatest dream: for Market Place Gonaives to be fully locally owned and operated.

Heartfelt gratitude
To every single person who prayed, gave and helped to make this happen, we are forever grateful. It was a wild dream and without you it would have remained just that, a dream. Our greatest hope is that every square foot of this building will be used to see families grow and "on earth and it is in Heaven" realized!

Kafe Lakay

Kafe Lakay is a perfect example of “if you build it they will come”. All we at MUCH had to do was create a space and the entrepreneurial spirit took over. It is Haitian owned and operated. Our vision for Market Place Gonaives came to life as locals from Gonaives saw the opportunity and we were able to create a path for success. This baristo serves locally sourced fare to the community and has 8 employees. Kafe Lakay is an example of dismantling systemic poverty as people with ideas are given a space to use their imagination and skills.

RETAIL SPACE

What business would not want to locate above an anchor tenant that draws thousands of potential customers every week. Four 800 sq ft. units, including bathroom and office will host new business.

APARTMENTS

Two full-service apartments 1,600 Sq. Ft. each, will provide close proximity for anyone wanting to live in this hub of development.

CONFERENCE ROOM

3,400 sq. ft. auditorium hosts training classes, discussion groups, business symposiums, chamber of commerce luncheons, wedding receptions, birthday parties, concerts and other community events.