Keys to the City: Chicago, IL
Leave it to the Windy City to fill our sails with inspiration, antiques and market-fresh florals. In this installment of Keys to the City, we’re exploring Chicago’s vintage scene–and getting lost in the most awesome parking structure we’ve ever seen.
Vintage Garage takes place in an actual parking garage in Uptown Chicago, where 75-100 vendors fill the first three levels and ramps of the structure with the best in vintage and antiques. You won’t be surprised to hear that it was our first stop!
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K 0.38 CT Diamond Solitaire Necklace
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Hermès Early Issue "Skyros" Silk Twill Scarf 90
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
William Shatner Signed "Star Trek" Print
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K Pearl Drop Earrings
We parked our EBTH vintage turquoise pickup truck (complete with a garden bed of spring flowers from a local nursery) and set up a display of vintage vases and pottery for sale. We loved sourcing the variety of vessels, which included colored glass, polished ceramic, mosaic tile, painted porcelain and metallic, in sizes ranging from small bud vases to large-sized pots.
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Waterford "Prentiss" Crystal Candlesticks With Rectangular Waterford Clock
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
P. Fioritto Floral Oil Painting, 2012
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Christian Dior Navy Trotter Jacquard Zip Pouch
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Czech Barolac Style Frosted Glass Vase with Cherub and Grapes Motif
We partnered with local florist, Flowers For Dreams, which specializes in locally-sourced stems and hand-curated bouquets. Like EBTH, they’re an honest service offering and great alternative to a traditional industry ridden with flaws (they donate ¼ of profits to local charities). With every vintage vase purchased, each customer received a complimentary Flowers For Dreams bouquet, in addition to an EBTH tote and a copy of the EBTH Edit.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Walter Stomps Abstract Geometric Acrylic Painting "Galactic Border No. 1"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Farmside Amish Parcel-Ebonized and Elm Queen Bed Frame
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mike Trout, Nolan Ryan, and More Graded Baseball Cards, 1990s-2010s
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Grey Iron Casting Co. "Queen" Cast Iron Miniature Reproduction Toy Stove
Then we took a tour around the fair. Don Colcough and his wife, Lisa Polito hauled their stellar record booth, Mr. Modern, all the way from Michigan. We spotted an estate-found bin of Electro vinyl that contained an enormous collection of New Wave and Electro–including a rare test press of a Kraftwerk LP.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
7'1 x 10'9 Hand-Knotted Persian Tabriz Area Rug
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Mahogany-Stained X-Back Armchair, Manner of Barbara Barry
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Chanel Faux Pearl Rope Length Necklace
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Don Hatfield Serigraph "The Sailboat," Late 20th Century
Inspired by the thrill of the hunt and a handy resourcefulness, Lumenology is a product line of repurposed lighting and home accents made out of everyday appliances–from cheese graters to salon hair dryers.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Francine Wrap Shirt in Leather and Paolo Santini Leather Shirt with Siena Skirt
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
N. Ming Stylized Oil Portrait, 21st Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Death NYC Pop Art Graphic Print of Mickey Mouse, 2022
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Fendi Zucca Logo Pattern Umbrella
Some good digging was in order for Faris Shadid’s Four Eye Finds, which was a hodge podge of goods from all over the place. While the vintage patches were a delight to sort through, we ended up going home with some incredible vintage wool blankets for a steal!
One of the major highlights of the garage had to have been Ken Dawg Collectibles by Ken Kennedy. Kennedy has been collecting original posters, art and advertising for over 30 years, from around the world and all different eras.
Stan’s Donuts and Coffee started in Los Angeles, but have expanded their whimsical line of donuts and coffee to the Midwest — it made for the perfect post-fair treat. We weren’t so adventurous, but kept it classic with a gluten-free blueberry donut and iced black coffee. So good.
There was a strict no-photo policy in Myopic Books, but the place has a ton of used books that you can buy, sell and trade. We spotted a used copy of Alchemy of Light by Mary Conover.
When it came to the evening’s intimate dinner event, EBTH was very excited to partner with Homepolish, who have an established network of emerging interior designers in Chicago. We chose Soho House as the venue, who provided the beautiful tablescape (with flowers provided by Flowers for Dreams). Once again, our “Love It or Lose It” gift exchange game was a hit! This round, the most popular gifts included a vintage Tiffany & Co. catch-all tray, mid-century vase and a set of marble bookends.