shopping
While it lasts, there is interesting shopping at Marshall Field's flea market, located in the Randolph and Wabash area. That's because once Macy's takes over this too will be kaput.
By now you know that I'm a dedicated scavenger. Today during my second visit I found plastic (bakelite?) bangle bracelets from Argentina, ca 1960's at $6 and $10. They weren't there two weeks ago so it appears that merchandise keeps changing. It's comprised of new finds by the buyers which include some vintage items (my favorites usually), some manufacturers' closeouts and some Marshall Fields surplus merchandise. In latter category I found some heavy glass cylinder votive holders (in colors or clear) from Mexico at $3.70, formerly $10. They make handsome drinking glasses.
Other examples of unusual goods include retro French flyswatters for $6 or $8 (I forget which), vintage striped wool blankets for $133, vintage Louis Vuitton luggage for a small fortune, some great looking
wastebaskets covered with foreign language newspaper calligraphy at $32, a set of 6 original French enamel plates from the 1930's for $490, and a grouping of Mexican "Day of the Dead" merchandise including a pink skull festooned with a crown of smaller white skulls for $20. Largeish papier mache devils too. There are even elaborate chandeliers and a collection of Venetian carnival masks. Vintage garden tools are $38 and old pharmacy bottles with great typeface are available but pricey. Pillows galore from unusual places.
It's definitely worth a visit or two. Not your usual department store or interior design merchandise. Staff tries to be helpful but is generally not savvy so you're on your own. I'm a spelling fanatic and couldn't help but savor a tag that read "French guilt plates..." I was too taken by the guilt to remember the price.







