Originally a downtown Gretna parking lot, in the early 1990s, the Marketplace pavilion was constructed under the direction of former Mayor Ronnie Harris with the intention of it being used as an open market. However, the open market idea was premature, since it failed pretty early on. It was also meant to be an event space which has turned out to be a success.

In 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, when food was in short supply, then Councilperson Belinda Constant initiated the Gretna Farmers’ Market to satisfy residents’ needs.

The Marketplace is the length of a city block from 3rd Street to 4th Streets and as wide as the Huey P. Long neutral ground. It is now the Gretna Farmers’ Market’s permanent Saturday location and the venue for various events like a Lundi Gras celebration, Ringing in the Arts, Gretna Fest, food truck fests and much more.