Nov 19, 2018
A line trailed outside of Oliver’s Candies, located on Main and Oak streets, as parents and children excitedly waited to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus to tell the jolly saint what they wanted for Christmas.
“This is our first time here,” said Jada Lotemple, whose family drove down from Rochester after her mother saw the event on Facebook.
She leaned against the railing leading up into the candy store watching as the children excitedly stood on their tiptoes in an attempt to see over the sea of heads.
“It’s a nice thing for the kids,” she said.
Santa and Mrs. Claus have been stopping by Oliver’s for a long time — at least 15 to 20 years according to Megan Palone, office manager of Oliver’s Candies. Families were lined up outside the candy shop waiting since 10 a.m. and Palone said “it’s fantastic to see all the kids happy.”
“It’s the best day of the year here,” she said. “It’s a really fun family day and there is something for everyone.”
In addition to the jolly couple, Habitat for Humanity sold hot dogs in the parking lot, and children could visit a petting zoo and ride ponies. Oliver’s also had letters to Santa Claus for sale next to a small mailbox which kids can send to the North Pole and receive a response. Palone said they started it a couple years ago and the children absolutely loved it.
Standing next to boxes of candy, Lisa Gabriel, of Batavia, watched as her children carefully picked the candy boxes sitting on the shelf after they told Santa what was on their wish list. The family had been coming to visit the jolly couple for the last three years. She said Lucas, who will be 2 in December, loves the ponies and Gianna, 5, loves visiting Santa and getting the chocolate treats.
“I think it’s an amazing thing to do for kids,” she said. “They love the chocolate treats after seeing Santa.”
