Mall’s old Santa display proves to be big-ticket item

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This article was published 08/03/2019 (2694 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Santa’s Christmas Cabin display put up for sale by Kildonan Place shopping centre has turned out to be almost as popular as the Jolly Old Elf himself.

The mall listed its former seasonal centre for children’s visits and photographs with Santa for $2,000 on the buy-and-sell website Kijiji.

It had replaced it, purchased new from a Montreal-based builder in 2007, with a new display last Christmas.

The ad’s popularity skyrocketed — more than 1,900 views over its first two days on the website — and garnered so many asking-price offers mall management decided it will be sold to the highest bidder — but a local charity will receive a gift from the proceeds.

“After media reports came out and word started to spread on social media about the Santa set being for sale, my email started blowing up. I received lots of inquiries and quite a few serious inquiries from a number of organizations,” said Corey Quintaine, the mall’s marketing manager.

“We wanted to be as fair and equitable as possible, so what we’re doing now is accepting bids until midnight Friday, and anything above the $2,000 asking price, we’ll donate to the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation of Manitoba,” he said. “They’re a group that we really like here at Kildonan Place and that we’re happy to support.”

Quintaine said mall staff have volunteered with the foundation and the shopping centre has worked with it many times in the past.

“It (the foundation) is for kids as well. So something that has given so many kids so many memories over the years is now able to help children with disabilities in our province,” Quintaine said.

“It really comes from the Big Man himself (Santa). He’s the one who creates all the memories. So where he sits is part of it.”

About 60 inquiries came from businesses, non-profits and individuals, with at least six offers to purchase, he said.

“I sent out responses to everyone who expressed interest that, ‘Just so you know, it’s 700 square feet when it’s set up, at least; it’s 500 square feet to store and you can’t put it outside,” Quintaine said. “I think that gave a lot of prospective buyers a bit more perspective on things and more information to work with on whether or not it could be in their home because it certainly couldn’t be in a backyard.”

The ad, with the headline “Santa Set/Christmas decor,” states the buyer must load and transport the display using their own tools, equipment and crew.

The set includes the big Santa chair, Santa’s tree-stump mailbox, some pre-lit trees, several large fibreglass mice sporting winter gear, a tree-trunk table and four padded tree-stump stools.

“I really am surprised (at its popularity). A number of shopping centre colleagues I talked to across the country said they often have trouble finding homes for their used Santa displays once they’ve purchased new ones. It really proves that Winnipeggers love their community and Winnipeggers love a bargain,” Quintaine said with a laugh.

He said the winning bid will be determined Monday and all bidders will be notified.

“We hoping this old set will make new memories for children somewhere, either in the province or around the country, going forward.”

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca