DES MOINES, Iowa —

For the last seven years, Sara Letsch has set up shop at the Christkindlmarket. Just her, her tent, and the handmade jewelry she sells.

But in almost a decade of experience, she doesn't remember it being as cold as it was Thursday night.

"I'm pretty sure this is the coldest we've ever done," she said.

Despite warm lights glowing overhead, the temperature in Des Moines plummeted into the teens as the market opened for the season, forcing vendors to get creative as they faced it head-on. Some used warm teas, extra jackets and blankets, and even heated seats.

But as the market opened for the start of its two-weekend run, vendors were split on whether the cold would impact business.

"I am not honestly hugely concerned about it," Letsch said. "The people that come are u

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