Santa Claus descended on downtown Middletown in a roaring fire engine on Dec. 16.
Dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, Middletown Fire Chief Nick Barber arrived at the “New Middletown” department store to grant wishes for neighborhood children and take pictures with their families.
He let out hearty and joyful laughs with a twinkle in his eyes.
Mr. Barber, who is retiring as fire chief at the end of the year, said he was happy to bring holiday joy alongside his firefighters to the new department store on North Street.
“It has been a pleasure serving the city and protecting the city with everybody,” he told The Epoch Times, adding that community outreach had always been a focus of the fire department.
Assistant Fire Chief Randy MacLean was giving out firemen hats to children, and several volunteer firefighters were passing out coloring books and candies at the store.
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“You feel fulfilled knowing that you can give something back to the community,” volunteer firefighter Leighton Williams said of his fire service and community outreach efforts.
“We are really happy that we and the fire department teamed up,” New Middletown CEO Lili Zhou told The Epoch Times. “Local kids are coming in and taking pictures, and we also have a donation box with all proceeds going to the fire department.”
Fire Chief Nick Barber (L) and Assistant Fire Chief Randy Maclean at the New Middletown store in Middletown, N.Y., on Dec. 17, 2023. Cara Ding/The Epoch Times
The department store sits inside the same building that used to house the old Thompkins store before the decline of downtown shopping in the second half of the 20th century.
Local resident Linda Jansen said she used to come to the Thompkins store as a kid to visit Santa Claus at the central staircase, a holiday tradition for many neighborhood children at the time.
She told The Epoch Times that she was happy to see the holiday tradition restored by the “New Middletown” department store and that she was able to bring her grandchildren to share in the joy.
“I actually have a picture of the staircase when this building was closed,” Ms. Jansen said. “It is nice that it is open again, and I wish this ‘New Middletown’ store the best.”
Volunteer firefighters at New Middletown store in Middletown, N.Y., on Dec. 17, 2023. Cara Ding/The Epoch Times
The store’s first level features exclusive merchandise from Shen Yun Collections and Shen Yun Dancer, including handbags, jewelry, scarves, clothing, and home goods.
Everyday products made in the United States and thoughtfully sourced from around the world are on display on the second floor, which includes a special holiday gift section.
According to New Middletown Marketing Director Sammie Song, the store’s main goal is to revive a lost shopping tradition and bring the community together.
The store will provide another photo opportunity with Santa Claus on Dec. 24.
