Chicago’s Randolph Street Market Festival opens this year for savvy shoppers and fashionistas on May 23-24, 2009 at 1350 W. Randolph St. in Chicago’s uber-chic West Loop neighborhood. The grand opening weekend extravaganza brings the who’s who of Chicago out for the annual Garden Party theme, showcasing exceptional outdoor living and home accessories, allowing shoppers the chance to revamp their gardens and patios in time to entertain in style this summer. The Chicago Antique Market Festival burst on the scene six years ago, quickly earning an international reputation as one of the finest and most diverse markets in the world and drawing comparisons to Paris’ legendary Le marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen.
For the first time, The Oprah Store will offer an array of its specialty items at the Randolph Street Market Festival. Shoppers can browse the store’s exclusive line created specifically for the store, including attire for men, women and children, plus home décor, African art and crafts, frames, stationary, luggage and totes, and items for pets. In addition, The Oprah Store specialty items, including selections from Oprah’s “favorite things,” earth-friendly gift items, plus scripts and DVDs will be available at the market.
Randolph Street Market Festival is home to the world-renowned Chicago Antique Market and Indie Designer Market. New this year, market guests can bring gold to be sold onsite, and also can bring antiques for professional appraisal. The admission fee will also be waived for the final two hours of the market giving first time visitors the chance to “See for Free.” Randolph Street Market Festival features striking new glamorous fashion from some of Chicago’s best new designers, plus art, home furnishings and decorative objects from more than 200 vendors. Patrons can also purchase fresh flowers, sip Bloody Mary’s and relax as they enjoy live jazz and country music. Celebrity stylists are often spotted purchasing rare items for their clients and designers and set decorators for recent blockbuster movies such as “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
The Randolph Street Market Festival market features a remarkable selection of cross-cultural merchandise and goods, plus onsite dining, a bar, exciting interactive demonstrations and live music from Chicago’s hottest bands and musicians.
The Chicago Sun-Times raves “The market is a mecca of cool, laid-back people aware of style. Although you don’t have to be rich or famous to shop the Chicago Antique Market, celebs stroll through.” Hailed by Lucky Magazine as “…the newest hot spot for antiquing” and by Travel and Leisure as one of the top three national urban antique markets, the Randolph Street Market Festival is the city’s premier shopping events. In Time Out Chicago, Nate Berkus, designer of Oprah fame, raved “That is something this city was seriously lacking. The quality of the merchandise there is incredible.”
Trolley transportation to and from the Randolph Street Market Festival is provided as a courtesy to shoppers. Trolleys depart Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., at the top of each hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and depart the Market for Water Tower at regular 30 minutes intervals from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free and ample parking is available and the event is just .2 miles from Ashland and Lake Streets’ Green & Pink Line El stops.
RANDOLPH STREET MARKET FESTIVAL GENERAL INFORMATION
WHAT: Randolph Street Market Festival: home of the renowned Chicago Antique Market & Indie Designer Market
WHEN: May 23- 24 Regular Market hours: Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sundays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free hours for shopping:
Saturdays: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sundays: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Two entrances: 1350 block of W. Randolph Street and 1340 W. Washington Street
(between Ada and Ogden)
PRICE: General admission $10, good for both days.
$5 admission for students with ID
Children 12 and under free
Special Offer! With every admission purchased, patrons receive a shopping refund voucher.
Season Passes are also available and are priced at $75. A Season Pass includes unlimited admittance throughout the season for two people, as well as free valet parking.
PARKING: Free and ample street parking is available. Valet Parking is also available.
FOR INFO: For more information call 312-666-1200 or visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com,
www.chicagoantiquemarket.com or www.indiedesignermarket.com.