Randolph Street Market: A Shopper’s Paradise
The Randolph Street Market, a hybrid indoor outdoor site of busy stalls and smiling vendors, is situated in the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois. The European flea-market style experience unites hundreds of these smiling vendors, designers, and makers from across the United States, making Randolph Street Market the premier destination for one of a kind finds!
Held monthly from May to December, Randolph Street Market draws a diverse crowd of shoppers and collectors to Chicago’s West Loop – all searching for their next great purchase! With such a diverse range of vendors, visitors can expect to find a wide range of items from different eras, styles, and cultures. If it's vintage in particular that peaks your interest, then this is the market for you!
Randolph Street Market: 'The Mecca of Cool'
Sally Schwartz, a native Chicagoan and well-known entrepreneur and event planner, created the Randolph Street Market in 2003. At this time it was known as the Chicago Antique Market but grew to incorporate the Indie Designers section in 2005, the Holiday Mart in 2006, and the vintage and collectibles areas in 2008.
"...an urban antique market reminiscent of those found in Europe and New York City…"
Schwartz recognized the need for a curated marketplace that showcased vintage and antique items. Her vision and efforts have contributed to the market's success and its reputation as being: “the mecca of cool,” “the best hotspot for antiquing” and “the Barneys of vintage” by magazines such as Travel & Leisure, The New York Times, Lucky, Architectural Digest, USA Today, Elle Décor, and goop. It has also been compared to New York’s Chelsea Flea Market, London’s Portobello market, and the Paris market at Porte de Clignancourt.
Visiting the Randolph Street Market
At 350,000 square ft and spanning 8 1⁄2 acres, the Randolph Street Market is considered the largest market of its kind in the MidWest. From May to September, the event takes place outdoors on the last weekend of the month. And from October to December the spectacle moves indoors. It is located in the Main and Lower Hall areas of the Chicago Plumbers Union historic Art Deco style building. And tumbles out into the parking lot throughout the summer season.
As a hybrid indoor-outdoor experience the Randolph Street Market is essentially a mini festival, making it extremely popular in the summer months. Treasure hunters and entertainment-seekers alike will be blown away by the continuous stream of live music acts, quirky food stalls, fun cocktails, and more to be enjoyed across the weekends.
Summer Markets
During the summer months each market has a different theme. Typically trading on a Saturday and Sunday, the market often holds a charitable preview event on Friday evenings of what's to come. Each month around 10,000 eager treasure seekers visit the festival looking for their next find. Independent boutiques in the Indie Designers Market boast Chicago-designed fashion pieces alongside art, jewellery, and home décor direct from local creators. Whilst items found within the Global Goods Bazaar are directly representative of Chicago’s vibrant ethnic communities.
Let all the shopping work up your appetite and then head to the Fancy Food Market and sink your teeth into artisan chocolates, cakes, breads, salsa, and other tasty goodies. From lobster food trucks and taco factories, to pancakes and salads there’s something to suit everyone at the Randolph Street Market Festival!
Winter Markets
Fortunately, the Randolph Street Market Festival and all those beloved summer stalls can still be enjoyed during those cooler fall and winter months – it’s just time to head indoors! There might also be a shift in emphasis at these specialty markets including the Holiday Market and Modern Vintage Chicago Fall Fashion & Jewelry Explosion. The emphasis will now prioritise all things related to “gifts, entertaining, decorating and wearing” in accordance with the season. Even the Market Bar swaps out its breezy Mimosas to cocktails with a little more of a festive fizz. The Randolph Street Market also switches up the weekends to the third in the month starting from October, so be sure not to miss out!
Randolph Street Market: Opening the Lid on the Treasure Chest
Aside from being a summer extravaganza in Chicago, and providing a wide range of goodies, what makes the Randolph Street Market so special? As with most things, the answer lies in the quality not the quantity! Unlike many other flea markets and vintage stores that sell knock-off or mass-produced items, the Randolph Street Market is dedicated to showcasing authentic and bespoke items. From mid-century modern furniture to vintage clothing, vinyl records, and handmade crafts, the market offers something for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, you're sure to find a piece that speaks to you.
Our Thoughts…
If you're looking for a unique and memorable shopping experience, the Randolph Street Market Festival will right up your… street! With its diverse selection of vintage and handmade items, friendly vendors, and bubbling atmosphere, it's a cheery Chicago spectacle that's not to be missed!
Interested in finding more places like this? Try one of our Chicago Scavenger Hunts - untangle cryptic clues as a team, as you are taken on a journey to the most unique, unusual and bizarre corners of Chicago and beyond!
