City officials surprised vendors at Chicago’s most popular holiday market by imposing new crowd restrictions just hours before it opened last Friday.
Organizers say the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza will now be limited to 1,553 visitors at a time — less than half the 3,494 people allowed under the COVID-19 capacity rules set in 2021, when social distancing was still in place.
Organizers say the move has already led to a significant drop in vendor revenue.
“Every day this goes on is a day too long for all of our vendors and, quite frankly, for all the people standing out in the lines,” said Mark Tompkins, president and CEO of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest.
The Mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The shift was first reported by the Chicago Tribune.
Organizers said that aside from the pandemic restrictions, the market — which houses more than 50 vendors — has typically managed crowds based on the natural flow of foot traffic.
Sabine Korger of Biene’s Honighaus said her sales have already fallen by more than 40%. She travels from Germany to Chicago each year to sell her honey products and hires nearly 30 employees for the market.
“Our Chicago workers are losing their hours, they’re losing their income,” said Korger. “They told me they don’t know how they will pay their rent or buy Christmas gifts for their children.”
Korger called on city officials to reconsider the restrictions and allow more people inside the market.
“Our entire next year has become uncertain now,” she said. “We are kindly asking to please find a safe and balanced solution, one that allows more visitors inside, supports us vendors, and protects the income of many Chicago’s workers who rely on the market.”
By early Friday afternoon, the line to enter the market wrapped around the Richard J. Daley Center, stretching from Washington Street up Clark Street and looping around Randolph Street.
Julie Parrish and her three children waited in line for nearly an hour before being allowed inside the market.
“We have come here every year for the past 15 years and have never had to wait in line like this,” said Parrish.
Parrish and her kids drove in from Wauconda, saying the market has become a family tradition and that they were willing to wait as long as needed to enjoy treats from their favorite vendors.
Tompkins said he was hopeful they could come to an agreement with city officials that would allow more people inside the market before the season was over.