Thousands of eager shoppers braved Chicago’s chilly temperatures to take advantage of Black Friday sales and take in the sights downtown.

Despite concerns about inflation, shoppers turned out en masse for a day of shopping that, for some, is just as much about finding good deals as it is about holiday traditions in downtown Chicago. A long line of customers stretched around the Richard J. Daley Center waiting to get into a packed Christkindlmarket.

Jen Villa and her husband Joe Villa typically visit Chicago-area family on Thanksgiving and hit some of the city’s best known stores on Black Friday. The pair were taking a rest in Macy’s flagship store on State Street after a busy morning, and were about to get some of the store’s world-famous Frango candies.

“We have two teenagers and another son and this is our tradition every year,” said Jen Villa, a preschool teacher from the Detroit area. “We have to get Frangos every year.”

They still planned to visit Water Tower Place and other outlets on Michigan Avenue, before going ice skating and attending the The Sound of Music sing-a-long at Chicago’s Music Box Theater.

“We love doing that,” Jen Villa said. “It’s a girls outing.”

Joe Villa, who works for General Motors, said they don’t purchase many items on Black Friday. The trip is mostly about spending time with family on an extended holiday weekend. He does have some concerns about persistent inflation, but gave each of his three children, aged 17, 18 and 21, about $100 to spend.

“It’s a great way for them to learn about inflation, by spending their own money,” Villa said. “We don’t have the Magnificent Mile in Detroit. We have a lot of stores, but it’s just not the same.”

Many Chicago-area consumers are worrying about inflation this Christmas season, and those worries could cause many to cut back on spending.

Deloitte’s 2025 Chicago Holiday Retail Survey found local shoppers plan to spend an average of $1,553 for the holidays, down 11% from last year. More than three-quarters of Chicago shoppers surveyed said they expect to see higher prices, and nearly 90% said they would be on the hunt for deals.

Not everyone is worried. Older shoppers are likely to spend roughly the same amounts or a little more than they did last year, while those under 44 report they may make significant cutbacks, according to Deloitte’s national shopping survey. Generation Z, those aged 18 to 28, are the most anxious about their holiday finances, and plan to cut spending by 34%. Generation X, those between the ages of 44 and 61, plan to boost their spending to $1,980, a 3% increase, Deloitte found.

The city’s thrift stores were a popular destination Friday for shoppers looking for more economic, guilt-free purchases. The Salvation Army offered 50% off on clothing, a deal that the dozens of shoppers who crisscrossed the aisles at the Lincoln Park store took advantage of Friday morning.

Pamela Trout, 32, was searching for a new outfit for an upcoming trip to Mexico, specifically a black denim jacket. It can get pricey buying new clothes, so the Salvation Army deal felt like a perfect compromise, she said.

“I feel better about the dopamine hit of getting something new,” Trout, a Lincoln Park resident, said. “I did some online shopping at Aritzia, and I bought three things, and it was like $400. That versus here I can get a lot more stuff and it’s more unique.”

She also picked up a black and white striped shirt for work for less than $5.

Giuliana Martinez bought sweaters and bilingual books for her three nephews. The 40-year-old West Loop resident tries to keep Spanish alive in her family and said the Lincoln Park store has a robust selection of secondhand books. She also loves finding surprises in thrift stores.

“I really enjoy the hunt of thrifting,” Martinez said. “I’m not really looking for anything specific, so if I find a good treat, great. If I don’t find anything I’m not disappointed. When I go to the mall. I’m very targeted, because it’s too busy.”

Keith Beyar, 57, said his family agreed to make this Christmas a “thrifting Christmas” so as not to put pressure on anyone financially. He shopped Friday with his wife and two children.

“It’s like make a list, see if you can find a version of it at a thrift store or upcycle, recycle,” the Old Town resident said.

His 22-year-old daughter, Nadya Beyar, said it doesn’t seem like there’s many good discounts at shops anyway, so 50% off comparatively seems like “a real Black Friday sale.” She found Levi jeans and athletic wear.

“Those are always the hidden gems in thrift stores,” she said.

.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/black-friday-chicago/