Jul 6, 2011

The Chicago Market: Living and Giving® Explores Area Retailers Through Shop Local Trolley Tour

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Market: Living and Giving® is excited to partner with the Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA) to offer a Shop Local event on Monday, August 1 from 4:45 – 7:30 p.m. The Shop Local Trolley Tour invites guests to visit Chicago’s Southport Corridor, a boutique neighborhood destination and cultural hotspot for retail shopping, dining and entertainment.

The Shop Local Trolley Tour will allow retailers attending the Chicago Market to meet the business owners behind the vibrant shops and listen to their unique stories while networking with industry experts. Retailers will also see the latest trends in home, gourmet and accessories

“The GHTA helps and encourages vendors, sales agencies and retailers to work together, improving relationships and making business better by providing members with the opportunity to exchange ideas, develop content, and effect positive change in our industry,” said Diane Carnevale Jones, executive director. “The GHTA is dedicated to supporting the independent retailer and providing information on the ‘Shop Local’ movement. We are happy to partner with the Chicago Market on the trolley tour, which is an excellent opportunity to network with industry peers and to share best practices.”

Below is a list of the participating retail stores.

Shop Local Trolley Tour Retailers:

• Dog-A-Holics
• M2 Boutique and M2 for Men
• Persona
• Que Syrah Fine Wines

For specific questions regarding this event, contact Debra Elgi at delgi@mmart.com or call 312-451-6429. RSVP is required for this event. Limited availability.

THE CHICAGO MARKET SHOW HOURS
THURS, July 28 – FRI, July 29
Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14
SAT, July 30 – SHOP LATE NIGHT!
Showrooms: 9 am – 8 pm | Floors 13, 14
Temporaries and Beckman’s™ Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 6 pm | Floor 8
SUN, July 31 – MON, August 1
Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14
Temporaries and Beckman’s™ Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 6 pm | Floor 8
TUES, August 2
Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14
Temporaries and Beckman’s™ Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 3 pm | Floor 8
WED, August 3
Showrooms: 9 am – 5 pm | Floors 13, 14

For more information on The Chicago Market, please visit www.shopchicagomarket.com or call 800.677.6278 (MART).

The Chicago Market: Living and Giving is a trademark of MMPI. Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show is a registered trademark of MMPI. The Chicago Market: Living and Giving is the longest running gift show in the United States and is a quarterly wholesale tradeshow designed for store owners, retail buyers and designers to shop a wide array of quality products ranging from home accents and furniture to handcrafted or eco-friendly product to collectible items, holiday, baby/children’s product, gourmet and more. The Chicago Merchandise Mart is located at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. For more information call 800.677.6278 (MART) or visit www.shopchicagomarket.com.

MMPI is the world’s leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; the Architects & Designers Building, 7 W New York, and Piers 92/94 in New York City; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; the Washington Design Center in Washington DC; and Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center in Cleveland.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.