(They call it Paris on the Prairie, and that's just what Janel finds for us this week: a bit of Europe in Chicago. This is a nice scoop. Comment away.)
Once again Marshall Field's pulls out all the stops, and creates a truly grand flea market for Chicagoans. Decorating finds have been hand-picked by Field’s buyers at European flea markets, shipped home, and now are available for purchase in the First Floor Arcade. These are authentic market buys - interesting one-of-a-kinds, antiques, vintage pieces and dead stock.
Field’s creative team displays the goods in settings that celebrate the juxtaposition of old and new by intermingling modern pieces throughout. The windows along Wabash Street feature the vintage wares incorporated into four room sets showcasing the aesthetics of designers Barbara Barry , Jonathan Adler , Thomas O'Brien and Alexa Hampton .
In the past, Field’s market was a three-day-only event but this year has been extended throughout the spring season. Items from France, Holland and England are featured initially, with a growing focus on merchandise from Asia, Africa and Latin America as the event continues.
After attending the last market during summer ’04, we’ve been awaiting its return. A visit to Fields, a classic, historic store, is always fun, but this shopping experience stands out. It’s got the search mission thrill of thrifting and the department store ease of pre-pricing, payment options and delivery service. A wide price range (starting at $1!) makes purchasing a possibility. No haggling or returns, though.
Highlights: Bamboo chair circa 1950, $70; Sputnik chandelier, $562; Italian sunburst lamps circa 1960, $375; French syrup jars, $66; Eastern European schoolroom poster circa 1940, $88; Woman’s portrait, $280; Man’s portrait, $100; French logo barware, $12 & up.
For Chicago vintage fans, it’s a dream to shop a European flea market where the only travel required is a short ride on the “L”!
- Janel
Special Event Shop Open 2/22/06 through 4/30/06
Hopefully this won't be the last of this event, as it sounds fantastic, but alas, Marshal Field's is slated to be "converted" into a Macy's in the near future.
"We were a part of your life . . . "
Ohhhhhh... if we still lived in Minneapolis, I would be driving east right now. I really would.
Macy's planned wipe-out of regional identity really annoys me. I'm totally happy to live down the block from a Macy's in San Francisco because Macy's *belongs* here. But it freaks me out to think of going to a Macy's in Mpls or Chicago. It's just WRONG.
hmmm...Filene's was also just acquired by Macy's and there will be no more Filene's by name, anyway.
i've missed this in the past, but not a chance i'll miss it this time around. who knows what macy's has in store for field's traditions. my grandmother is devastated to see field's go...along with every other chicago native.
Burdines was the Florida casualty of the Macy's takeover.
I almost wept. I had a lot of history with Burdines.
Hudsons was the first casualty of all this - first Fields bought Hudsons in detroit), then macy's bought fields, and now no where is everywhere. It really freaks me out to not be able to go shopping at Hudsons, or even Marshall Fields any more.
On topic with this post, this just BREAKS MY HEART that I am not going to Chicago with all my friends in 3 weeks. I would so be at the market buying stuff. Damn budgets, grad school, weddings and taxes!
Federated Dept Stores evil master plan is to have MACYS EAST, MACYS WEST and BLOOMINGDALES. They will eventually close, sell or rename LORD & TAYLOR.
Sometimes progress in not a good thing :(
No more Burdines? A shocking thing to discover from such an unexpected source. I guess I'll still be able to go to Publix for that authentic FL experience.
I'm in Chicago, so I'm going. French syrup jars! How could I have made french toast all these years without them. (Hope there is still one left). Thanks Janel.
I had no idea that Fields had anything like this. I'm heading there this weekend. Thanks for the great heads up!
Publix!!! Now you are just TRYING to make me cry.
SWEET! That's nice that it is longer than a weekend this time. I'll definitely have to pop in after work one day.
rediculous "flea market"- it's not like the markets in paris or new york, unless you're delusional or have never been out of the midwest. only in chicago would this sort of event be held inside a department store. a very sad affair in total.
Is this going on now? Marshall Field's website shows the event happening in Jully..
Marshall Field's poll here:
http://www.misterpoll.com/567200689.html
if you support MF, take the poll
Eric:
Yes, it is going on now. In the past, Fields has had this event in the summer.
From what I understand, it's going on until at least the end of May.