ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – With a dozen stops on his list Saturday, the holiday season’s most interesting man ventured out into the hot summer sun to meet and greet shoppers for a special occasion.
The jolly old elf made appearances at area businesses along Granada Boulevard and beyond in Ormond Beach, where happy youngsters waited for their photo opportunity with Santa.
Organizing the Christmas in July: Eat & Shop Local Historic Ormond Beach efforts was the Ormond Beach MainStreet Program. This year’s campaign to drive shoppers to the historic downtown area included bright signage and a big push on social media from participating businesses according to Santa’s ‘handler’ and OBMS President Nancy Cortez.
“Finally, we got all the merchants together. The merchants pulled together and they used all their resources and really it was the merchants helping us,” she said modestly. “We did a lot but we can’t do it without the merchants.”
“It is crazy to see all the kids. We have a schedule and we’ve stayed on schedule and the kids are just waiting for him, and their tears, they’re just so happy,” she said, sharing the experience so far from kids. “I love you, Santa!” (they say), so it’s been pretty awesome.”
Sticking to a strict schedule, the Santa and Cortez made the rounds to businesses where shoppers had gathered to browse and purchase items while waiting, eagerly welcomed by shopkeepers like Kathy Tyre, owner of Beach Girl Dollar on Yonge Street.
“It’s just a lot of fun to participate, first and foremost,” said Tyre, offering wine and snacks to of age shoppers as they filled baskets with the dazzling jewelry and hair adornments on display.
“As far as small business it’s nice, especially in the summertime, to have events happening that bring the community and new people into the shops and tie into what other folks are doing. Sometimes it feels like you’re kind of out there on your own a little bit, so it’s nice to be like ok, stop here, check out this one. It just kind of builds that continuity throughout this Ormond MainStreet area.”
The Christmas in July campaign is one of several major events for the Ormond Beach MainStreet Program and immediate business district.
“One of our missions it to improve the economic development of our downtown and this is bringing business. All of the businesses have been slammed,” said Cortez before sharing upcoming events.
“We have the Ormond Beach Seafood Festival November 18-19th and then we also have the last Saturday after Thanksgiving, we’ll have our Shop Small Saturday, just like this and Santa will be there.”
