The beloved Christmas tree lot in Richton Park, Illinois, which served as the backdrop for the Hallmark movie Christmas Under The Stars, has closed its doors after an impressive 40-year run. Established each November along Sauk Trail next to Joann’s Food & Liquor, the lot has been a cherished seasonal fixture for many families in the area.
The closure marks a significant shift for the Reinbold family, who have run the lot for decades. Mayor Rick Reinbold, whose family has been involved in the tree lot’s operation, confirmed that no trees will be sold this holiday season for the first time in nearly four decades. “We finally had to pull the plug,” he stated, citing declining sales over the past four years as the main reason behind the decision.
In its peak years, the lot sold more than 600 trees in the lead-up to Christmas. In stark contrast, sales dwindled to around 150 trees in recent seasons. Reinbold explained that two years of breaking even, followed by two years of financial losses, forced the family to evaluate the future of the lot. “It just got to be a numbers decision,” he added.
The changing landscape of Christmas tree sales has posed challenges for independent lots. Reinbold highlighted the increasing prevalence of artificial trees and competition from large retail chains as factors contributing to their decline. Sourcing trees has also become problematic, with some growers exiting the wholesale tree business, making it difficult to find affordable suppliers.
The tree lot drew customers from surrounding communities, including blue-collar suburbs like Park Forest and Chicago Heights. “That was our niche,” Reinbold said, emphasizing the importance of affordability. “We weren’t a lot that sold $200 trees. We wanted to make sure we were affordable for all those years.”
As independent tree lots continue to disappear from the suburban retail landscape, Reinbold noted that 10 to 15 years ago, there were several thriving lots in the region. “In our region, there used to be seven or eight, and everyone was making money,” he recalled. Unfortunately, many of those lots have faced the same fate as his.
The absence of the familiar white camper trailer, which served as a temporary headquarters for the lot, has not gone unnoticed. Reinbold shared that he received inquiries from long-time customers about its disappearance. The decision not to sell trees this year left many families disappointed. “There’s a lot of disappointed families and we feel bad about that,” he said.
Although the lot has closed for the season, Reinbold has not ruled out the possibility of a future reopening. “If we’re able to find a provider that can give us what we need for our community, we’d consider it,” he said. He added that the potential return would depend on various factors, but the desire to serve the community remains strong.
This Christmas tree lot was not only a source of revenue but also a community landmark. The Hallmark movie, which aired in 2019, brought national recognition to the village. “We got national recognition over that,” Reinbold stated, reflecting on the positive feedback and sense of pride the movie generated for the area.
Looking back, Reinbold emphasized the joy the lot brought to families, particularly children. The excitement of selecting the perfect tree and the delight of receiving candy canes made the experience special for generations. “I think the kids were the best part of it,” he said, recalling the wonderment of Christmas and the anticipation of Santa’s arrival.
With the closing of the tree lot, the Reinbold family leaves behind a legacy filled with cherished memories. “We’ve enjoyed doing it, and probably as much or more than our customers, we’ll miss it. Probably more than them,” Reinbold concluded. The future of the Christmas tree lot remains uncertain, but the spirit of the holidays it fostered will linger in the hearts of those who visited over the years.
