A silver arch rises out of the floor and stretches overhead as visitors enter and exit this reclaimed warehouse building. The metalwork is quite exquisite, giving the optical illusion that tangled briars and thorny vines are growing from its reflective surface, despite the fact that the arch is actually quite smooth to the touch.
The Quicksilver Gate, in the heart of the up-and-coming Oak Park retail corridor, is a shopping complex which currently featuring dozens of tenants offering unique apparel, jewelry, artwork, home furnishings, gifts, accessories, antiques, toys, and gourmet treats. This two story galleria supports small, independent retailers and maintains its mission to provide a unique shopping experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. The Quicksilver Gate prides itself on its dedicated support of local artisan and entrepreneurs, acting as a brick-and-mortar retail outlet for many up and coming designers who may not be able to afford their own storefront in such a pedestrian-friendly location.
The main entrance leads visitors into the farmers market, where they will find all manner of small-batch wines, artisanal cheeses, and freshly-baked breads in addition to the typical local fruits and seasonal vegetables. One deli-style restaurant is located in the middle of the market, and offers an eclectic menu which changes daily, based upon the ingredients that are available from their neighboring market vendors. Particularly well known for their sandwiches, Pastoral has won over both customers and fellow merchants at the Quicksilver Gate, due to their outstanding quality as well as their reasonable prices. Toward the back of the ground floor, the farmers market gives way to the more upscale dining experience known as Campagna. Located next to the elevator and back stairwell, this Italian trattoria-inspired restaurant also takes advantage of the readily available products of their neighboring vendors in an effort to provide their diners with an unforgettable gastronomic event. The impressive selection of old vine wines and craft spirits has made this unpretentious restaurant popular with old money gourmands as well as fad defining hipsters.
To either side of the main entrance lie sweeping staircases that lead to the loft-like retail stalls. This large balcony space overlooks the farmers market below and is separated into booths, which may be rented by the month, as convenient spaces for local home-grown artists and artisans to display their handiwork. Each stall is operated independently and all transactions are handled by the individual merchants.
For this one night, Monday the 1st of December, the grand market has opened late for anyone wishing to find something a little different for a Christmas gift and Quicksilver Gate has responded to the approaching season. A large Christmas tree has been decorated ornately and exquisitely, reaching up to the balcony above. The moment shoppers enter, they are offered free egg-nog or a small sherry along with a festive mince pie and each of the markets have condiments laid out to try, each secretly attempting to out-do the next. The restaurants are not overly-busy but the atmosphere is pleasant and jolly, in keeping with the distinct grotto was doing nicely with a line of families waiting to see Father Christmas and his busy elves.
This is an open Shard event and as such please keep in mind the rules for crossover. It will run for one month. Many thanks and enjoy!