In the 1500s, Christmas markets began popping up across Germany. The tradition was tied to the folklore of the Christkind, a fairylike being who delivered gifts to children across German-speaking countries in Europe.
As the trend grew, such markets spread into the United States in the 1990s and 2000s.
Fifteen years ago, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce decided it was time to bring some of that spirit to Texas.
This year, organizers took a look back at how a row of huts near Choctaw Stadium grew into its own small slice of Germany in the Arlington Entertainment District at the Texas Christkindl Market.
The unique setup of the market — wooden German-style huts put up each year — brings those who work in it together, lead organizer Henry Lewczyk said.
“It’s just gratifying because every vendor here is like family,” Lewczyk said. “They help promote the market and bring friends here. Every year, we come together for this 30- to 45-day period, and it’s just so exciting.”
The market serves as an extension of the spirit the city found through its partnership with German cities.
For 74 years, Arlington has been a sister city of Bad Königshofen, a town in central Germany with a population of about 6,000.
More recently, Arlington became a friendship city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in southern Germany.
Many authentic Deutschland foods can be purchased at the market along with gifts inspired by German traditions.
One of the most eye-catching areas in the market is the Käthe Wohlfahrt shop.
The store is an iteration of the larger Käthe Wohlfahrt brand, founded in Germany in the 1960s. The Rothenburg ob der Tauber-based brand was created by a family who wanted to bring traditional German Christmas decorations to a larger market.
Most pieces in the store have a deeper history than most know, store manager Denise Shaw said.
“People appreciate that and the craftsmanship,” Shaw said. “That’s why they come in.”
The market features small businesses throughout.
Fort Worth resident Ann Gorman was one vendor braving the cold December air during a recent day at the market. Gorman is showcasing pieces from Crystalize Home, a Florida-based Christmas ornament business.
This year is her first at the market, and she’s enjoyed seeing how unique each vendor’s offerings are.
“It’s a wonderful experience,” Gorman said. “For one, I love Christmas, and everybody has beautiful things to offer to everybody.”
Over the past 15 years, North Texans have come together around the market, Lewcyzk said.
One of the key reasons the market has been so successful is because of the military community, Lewcyzk said.
“The largest area of concentration for the U.S. military is in Germany,” he said. “Many of our veterans spent so much time in Germany that this was a good feeling for them to come and show their families what a Christmas market is like in Germany.”
A couple of years after launching, the market was handed over to the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau and Lewcyzk stepped away as an organizer. For years, he watched from the sidelines as the Texas Christkindl Market continued to grow.
When he retired from the chamber four years ago, he made his return. Returning to the market and continuing the mission of bringing the holiday joy has been awesome, Lewcyzk said.
“It’s a labor of love,” Lewcyzk said.
Chris Moss is a reporting fellow for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@fortworthreport.org.
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Great Job Chris Moss & the Team @ Fort Worth Report for sharing this story.
