Merchandise Mart Working With DMK on Business-Minded Restaurant/All-Day Cafe

Merchandise Mart’s food offerings will get a massive upgrade from DMK Restaurants (Ada Street, DMK Burger Bar, Henry’s) later this summer. DMK is opening a restaurant/cafe/lounge and private event space called Marshall’s Landing in June on the second floor with views overlooking the Chicago River. There’s a 250-seat restaurant planned with a walk-up coffee shop, according to a news release.

The space is designed with business meetings in mind, with seating areas equipped with service call buttons, according to Crain’s. What’s the significance of the buttons? DMK cofounder David Morton told Crain’s he sees them as a way to ensure servers don’t halt the momentum of negotiations, so waiters only tend to tables when they are wanted.

But it’s not all buttoned up at Marhsall’s Landing, a nod to Marshall Field, perhaps best known for the retail chain bought out by Macy’s. There’s a 30-seat bar with craft beer and small plates and burgers. They’ll pour coffee from different roasters. That’s the same strategy employed at DMK’s recently-opened coffee shop, Werewolf Coffee Bar. DMK wants to also attract laptop workers who hang out and make Marshall’s Landing their home base.

DMK and The Merch are also planning special movie nights with food and drink pairings. Diners would watch films projected on a giant screen near the Grand Stair, the 50-foot wide and marble staircase leading from the first to second floor.

Marshall’s Landing is a collaboration between DMK and the owners of the Merchandise Mart (Vornado Reality Trust).