Growing up, Amy Megran disliked antiques.
“I was bored,” Megran said of tagging along with her parents to different shops.
But distaste soon turned to devotion once she started accompanying her mother to estate sales.
“I got fascinated with all the vintage history,” she said. “Then, I got obsessed with going to estate sales.”
Treasures from those trips were on full display at the annual Randolph Street Holiday Market on Saturday at Plumber’s Hall in the Fulton Market District. Megran, owner of Amy’s Attic, presented tables of holiday decor and other collectibles — most notably items from Marshall Field’s. Fans of the beloved department store were delighted to find ornaments, gift boxes, a hat box, tablecloths and a sign featuring the iconic Uncle Mistletoe character.
“Some people are obsessed with him,” said Megran, 54, of Glenview, who said she has her own happy memories of visiting the flagship store on State Street.
“It was the ultimate shopping experience.”
The same can be said for the holiday market, now in its 21st year. Continuing on Sunday, the event features 125 vendors offering clothing, jewelry, art, furniture and more. It draws thousands of customers, who are able to enjoy food, custom holiday cocktails and music as they peruse booths on multiple floors.
It also achieves the meaningful goal of allowing vendors like Megran to indulge their passions while making others happy.
For example, Dreiske Arnold, 54, of Deerfield, purchased a Marshall Field’s gift box to add to a collection inspired by her late grandmother.
“She collected string and boxes and bags during the Depression,” Arnold said. “A lot of the stuff we got rid of, but the Marshall Field’s Christmas boxes were so pretty. And then I just started buying them because I feel it’s like my granny’s collection, just continued.”
Vendor Lee Merrick had a customer who was so excited to purchase a stereoscope, an optical instrument for viewing 3-D images, dating to the turn of the 20th century that she paid more than the asking price.
“She gave me a little Christmas bonus, which doesn’t happen very often,” said Merrick, owner of Lee Merrick Antiques.
His booth featured a variety of unique items, including an old Betty Boop sculpture, a 1920s carnival gaming wheel and a baseball bat signed by former Chicago Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins.
Merrick is originally from England and moved to the Chicago area to play soccer for the Chicago Power. He now coaches for the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club, but has made a career out of selling antiques.
“It’s rewarding to get up every day knowing I’m doing this,” said Merrick, 58, who lives in Jefferson Park.
Instead of vintage items, Morganna “Mosy-Posy” Milgrin was offering poems at the market. Wearing face paint and antlers illuminated with Christmas lights, Milgrin composed verses on the spot on a Royal Quiet Deluxe typewriter.
“I’ve always loved writing for other people,” said Milgrin, a 30-year-old clown and poet-for-hire who lives in Pilsen. “I love making a connection with people. And hopefully my goofy appearance makes people feel a little more comfortable in being vulnerable. So they can talk to me about whatever they need to and share their life with me.”
Milgrin said the holiday market makes for an interesting work space.
“People are here to find deals on high-end vintage goods, and tossing $20 at a street poet is not something that they thought was part of their day. So, it’s kind of funny to try to engage people that are on a mission.”
Chicago pediatrician Sherif Badawy brought joy to clientele with his baklava, flown in from Jordan.
Growing up in Egypt, he ate the dessert at large family gatherings.
“It’s nostalgia,” said Badawy, 42, who lives in River North. “That was something that always made me happy.”
Badawy expresses that communal spirit through his business name, “Dar Baklava.” (“Dar” means “house” in Arabic.)
His baklava is made with less sugar and syrup than those sold at other shops, he said. He sells the bite-sized treats in several flavors, including pistachio, cashew and walnut.
Randolph Street Holiday Market Founder Sally Schwartz spoke with vigor about the small business owners, calling their wares a “visual feast.”
“I know every one of them,” said Schwartz, who runs several events under the Randolph Street Holiday Market Festival umbrella. “They’re really wonderful people and they’re talented. They know their craft. They’re all such experts, and they all have so much passion for what they do. It’s infectious.”
She also praised the camaraderie among the customers.
“What I like about the show is that you don’t have to bring a friend,” she said. “You could come and everybody’s your friend when you get there.”
