Frank Brommelhorst, owner of Maison Rive Coin and Jewelry in St. Charles, says he’s heard stories about the economic downturn hitting Wall Street and Main Street. He didn’t expect a sort of foreclosure notice on Jolly Old St. Nick’s temporary digs though.

“Even Santa Claus has problems,” Brommelhorst said, chuckling and clutching a certified letter he received today from the City of St. Charles.

The “final notice” warns that a square white tent next to Brommelhorst’s Main Street shop violates city codes because it lacks a permit. It says the tent has to come down if the violation isn’t fixed by Dec. 5.

The kicker? It’s the city’s tent.

Brommelhorst said this is the second year he has let the Christmas Traditions festival use the vacant lot next to his store. He said he didn’t have a permit last year, either, but he didn’t receive a letter.

Santa visits the tent during the month-long celebration to hear the yuletide wishes of children. The kids, and sometimes their parents, also pose for pictures on his lap.

Larry Muench, 2nd Ward councilman, was surprised to learn about the letter Friday afternoon, and he figures the code enforcement officer must not have known the tent was part of the city’s annual festival. “I’ll take care of it,” he said. “I think it’s a misunderstanding.”

Frank Brommelhorst, the tent and the certified letter.

Santa Claus (Lewis Trescott) arrives at the tent Friday afternoon.