Randolph Street Market's Garden Party Season Opener

Randolph Street Market, the premier antique and artisan shopping event in Chicago, held their season opener this Memorial Day Weekend.  The market's vendors range from antique dealers, vintage clothiers, jewelry designers and furniture makers to local restaurants, coffee shops and breweries.  Both indoor and outdoor, the market has expanded significantly over recent years.  With over 250 vendors, seating, cooling tents and live entertainment, Randolph Street Market is intended to be a whole day (or weekend) event.

Early Saturday morning, I got the opportunity to meet with other members of the media at Sally's Cabana, the bright yellow tent in the center of the market.  Breakfast bites was served from various sponsors of the event like High Brew Coffee, Blue Moon, Mariano's and Wishbone Catering.  Then, members of the media were given 5 green ribbons to draw attention to the items that we thought were the best the market had to offer.  The ribbons were a fun way of showing some love to the vendors as well.  All of which were excited to receive them, whether it was their first or their fifteenth.  

Given a 2-hour head start to shop before the gates opened, I scoured the market looking for the best of the best and found some amazing pieces!  While there were TONS of pieces to choose from, I avoided the ones that had tons of ribbons already because this market is all about being unique.  So, without further ado, here are my Halfstack picks!

Clockwise- starting at left: Wood and Pipe Bar Cart, Refurbished antique mirror, Refurbished antique table, Table/art piece by David Tollkuhn of Rekelekt, stone flower pot

Another booth I really enjoyed was that of PRE beef. They were cooking up their steaks offering blind taste tests.  PRE is a Chicago-based startup company that is bringing beef back to the beginning- before feedlots, hormones and antibiotics and OH MY GOSH, it is delicious.  This was (not surprisingly) one of my favorite parts of the market.  They just entered the retail market and are launching at Mariano's.

Randolph Street Market's next weekend will be June 27th & 28th from 10 am-5 pm.  General admission tickets cost $10 at the gate or $8 online but there are a lot of great deals available for groups, students, or those interested in season passes.  Street parking around the lot is free, but there is also valet parking available for $10 which is blessing for the less-than-patient or parallel parking inept (I am the latter.)  The market is also sponsored by Square reader this year, so shopping is quick and convenient at most booths.  However, there is an ATM near Sally's Cabana for cash only booths.

I hope you enjoy your weekend at Randolph Street Market shopping, eating and meeting locals as much as we did!