One Santa got the boot at Garden City Center – but Santa(2) will be back in the sleigh by Sunday

Photo: VIP Photo

We learned that the popular Santa feature at Garden City Center had stopped accepting appointments because the Santa Claus was “fired” – according to several mommy-blogs on Facebook and other social media posts people were curious about what had happened, something nefarious, or financial, or what? We sought out the information from Garden City Center – and from VIP Holiday Photos, the 3rd part group that provides Santas at 125 malls in 35 states.

Garden City Center in Cranston is the only Rhode Island Mall using VIP Holiday Photos. The closest others are Emerald Square Mall in Attleboro and the Dartmouth Mall in Dartmouth, MA.

Santa got the boot

From VIP Holiday Photos

The spokesperson for VIP Holiday Photos confirmed that Santa “actually was terminated” for “not showing up on time, and several scheduling problems such as taking longer breaks than he should have”. (This) Santa was in his first year with VIP.

From Garden City Center: We contacted the shopping center and Joe Koechel, General Manager provided this statement: “Our community is at the heart of everything we do and it’s our number one priority to ensure that all of our guests feel welcome on property with the highest level of service. We are working diligently to secure Santa’s schedule at Garden City Center and we invite you to please visit our website and social pages for revised schedules.” We requested more details within minutes of receiving this message, but received Koechel’s out of office message and no response as of publication.

VIP Holiday Photos wanted to assure people that a new Santa is on board for this Sunday, December 10th, and appointments can once again be made for photos and visits with Santa on Sunday and after that time. When we checked for availabilities, the first date to reserve a time was 12/18. The dates are going fast.

Appointments

Reserved appointments are highly suggested, though walk-ups are taken if there is open time. Reservations are taken online, and the fee is paid online, once you select your reservation time. Times run every 3 minutes and sometimes every 6 minutes. The charge is $42.99. There is a Pet Friendly day on Dec. 18th, with photos allowed to be taken of family and their pet.

3-Minute Big Biz

Santa visits are set in 3 minute increments during the 4 hour or longer shifts. Some are 6 minutes apart and there are break times. Santa can see more than 1 child at a time. To do the math, there are approximately 10 days of Santa at Garden City Center. A low estimate of 600 visits and a total paid of over $25,000. With 53 malls served, and some unconfirmed math, VIP grosses a low estimate of over $1,400,000 – for their basic package. Some sites also sell swag. Some take contributions for charity. At Garden City Center, Dunkin’ has also stepped up as sponsor and occasionally provides sampling.

The Santa visit at Garden City is always well thought of. Families make a day of it, with its location near the Newport Creamery for a quick meal or ice cream. The grassy area is open with interactive options for the children, and the famous gazebo for children to take the stage at being performers. Christmas music and other events make Garden City Center Rhode Island’s jewel of shopping and an immersive experience. Families do well to have a plan to take advantage of all the shopping, dining and activities for the family. Several visits are part of memory making – just ask the young people who come back from college or now with their own families. Garden City is a very special place to experience

Children can write letters to Santa and drop them in the Santa mailbox, courtesy of sponsor Centreville Bank.

Ben & Jerry’s has a “Scoops with Santa” coming up with Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

According to Garden City Center’s website:

Reservations are strongly encouraged so the big guy can check his list twice before you arrive! Walk-ups are welcome, but may not be able to be accommodated on busy days or given a return time upon arrival. Register at the link below. At last look, he was booked through 12/18. Over 60 appointments can be made from 4 to 8pm.

Santa’s visits are being sponsored by Dunkin’, and they note that their Dunkin’ team will be periodically sampling onsite with holiday goodies, giveaways and more.