Santa Claus is coming back to town early

Times Reporter

 

A love for Christmas has prompted Ribbitz owner Lindsay Mullins to recreate the holiday in July. Mullins co-owns the store with Tammy Goodwin, and on July 23 they will be bringing Christmas in July to Strathmore. 

“Why? I just love Christmas, and I love Santa Claus,” said Mullins. 

Mullins came up with the idea from her childhood. Originally from Ontario, she said her family would go to the U.S to go camping in the summer and they would always have Christmas in July.

“My step-grandpa used to dress up as Santa Claus, and so…I just love Christmas and I kind of got the idea from there,” said Mullins. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for photos, which will cost $3 for one child and $5 for more than one in the photo. 

There will be face painting from 2:30p.m. to 3:30 p.m., balloon twisting from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. local home businesses, Gold Party, Lia Sophia and Gold Canyon Candles will be showcasing some of their items. The Cub Scouts will also be at the store, hosting a BBQ.

The store will also be having hourly sales, something Mullins said the previous owner had done. 

“So we open at 10 a.m. so from 10 to 11 a.m. would be one sale, which it’s all a surprise. There will be clothes, toys, it could be whatever per cent off of Roxy or Quicksilver for an hour or it could be off of Melissa and Doug for an hour, or anything that’s not clothes for an hour…it could be anything,” said Mullins. 

“I’ve got it all planned, but nobody can know.”

Mullins said it might be a good time for people to come in to get their back to school shopping done. Mullins said Christmas in July is something she would possibly like to see become an annual event at the store. Ribbitz carries kids clothes sized 0 to 18, and they also have accessories, such as diaper bags, toys, and soothers.