Jessica Tansey, driving through Chicago after Thanksgiving, noticed a proliferation of pop-up Christmas tree lots. Intrigued, she posed the question to Curious City: Who are these vendors, and how do they operate their businesses during the whirlwind holiday season?
The investigation revealed a diverse landscape of Christmas tree entrepreneurs. One of the oldest and largest operations, Chicago Christmas Tree Lots, is run by Gregg Arneson, whose family’s history in the business dates back to the early 20th century, beginning with schooners delivering trees from Wisconsin. While the methods have modernized—trains and trucks now replace schooners, and tree farms replace wild harvesting—Arneson’s business model faces increasing competition from large retailers like Home Depot, which offer cheaper, less-vetted trees. Arneson’s success hinges on customers who value the personalized experience and higher-quality trees he provides. He manages multiple lots across the North Side, employing temporary workers, many from Wisconsin, to handle the seasonal rush.
In contrast to Arneson’s large-scale operation, Ivy Speck runs a smaller, family-oriented lot in Wrigleyville. Using her property, which hosts Cubs parking during baseball season, Speck has built a loyal clientele over 28 years. While owning the property provides an advantage, she still faces the costs of licensing, labor, and shipping premium Fraser firs from North Carolina. Despite initial skepticism towards online estimates of profit margins, Speck acknowledges the significant costs involved, indicating her earnings are balanced by these expenses. She utilizes social media to reach customers and has even experimented with an honor system for unsold trees after Christmas.
Beyond these traditional models, the investigation discovered other approaches. Scout troops, schools, and churches often run tree lots as fundraisers, while some restaurants integrate tree sales into their existing operations. Chris Hohenstein, owner of City Tree Delivery, complements his online business with physical lots, leveraging foot traffic and partnering with local businesses to create a festive atmosphere.
Ultimately, the various models share a common theme: a fast-paced, high-demand period requiring efficient management and flexible strategies to succeed. Each vendor, however, finds their own niche, adapting their approach to meet the diverse needs and preferences of Chicago’s Christmas tree shoppers.