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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Stefano Esposito

No no no! Santa in short supply this year

Rick Rzeszutko, dressed as Santa Claus, sits in a sleigh at the 900 North Michigan Shops. The men in red suits are in high demand and in short supply this season. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)

Keith Stras keeps his custom crimson suit and $1,400 white-beard-and-wig set at the ready — just in case.

But Stras, who owns Chicago Santas and has been in the ho ho ho business for 49 years, mostly does the booking, dispatching his 25 Santas to department stores, hotel lobbies, zoos and the like.

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