French Fleas in Minneapolis

Dayton's Department Store in Minneapolis will hold the second of its authentic European flea markets later this month (August 25-27). It's the second year the retailer has staged the event at its flagship store in its home city.

Last month, however, was the first such event in Chicago. The seventh floor of Marshall Field's State Street flagship ushered in 10,000 visitors between July 14 and 16, eager to peruse the assorted furniture, linens and assorted baubles priced between a few dollars and $8,000 (for a vintage travel trunk by Louis Vuitton).

Buyers from Target Corp. (the company that owns the Dayton's, Hudson's and Marshall Field's department store chains) combed London and Paris flea markets in search of items that would appeal to an eclectic palate. As it tuned out, the most popular items were bundles of silverware selling for about $100.