Santa and His Reindeer Get the Party Started at McArdle’s

Bright-eyed children and their families celebrated the Christmas countdown at McArdle’s on Arch Street on Friday.

At noon, Santa got a lift down Greenwich Ave in a red convertible. Escorted by a Greenwich fire truck Mr. Kringle helped  Christine Georgopulo of Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Jonathan Moffly of Moffly Media, Selectman Drew Marzullo and James McArdle with a ribbon-cutting just in time to throw open the doors to Santa’s workshop inside McArdle’s Florist and Garden Center.

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Children enjoyed face painting and the balloon artist’s holiday creations fashioned in candy cane and reindeer shapes.

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Tony Solano, Rebeca Toledo and Nathaniel Smith of COSI in Greenwich offered up a delicious spread of sandwiches and hot soups. Credit: Leslie Yager

Tony Solano, Rebeca Toledo and Nathaniel Smith of COSI in Greenwich provided a generous assortment of freshly baked breads, sandwiches and several hot soups, which hit the spot on the cold afternoon.

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Ready for the rush at McArdle’s on Friday were Carol Giunta (left) and Melissa Matturro (right) Credit: Leslie Yager

As families waited in line for photos with Santa, there was a chance to admire the beautifully decorated garden center, and creative displays of unique gifts.

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McArdle’s sells Fraser Fir Christmas trees exclusively, with benefits including strong needle retention and the promise that the trees will last over a month indoors. Fraser Fir also boasts strong upturned branches which support heavy ornaments, a gorgeous pyramid shape and a pleasant scent.

Tammi Ketler of TMK Sports & Entertainment, who organized the event said the theme “Commerce in the Community” is fitting, with the event having grown over the years from 47 stores participating first Holiday Stroll Weekend six years ago to 115 this year.

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Among the children eager to have their photo taken with Santa were the Mofflys — Nikita, Sasha, Maks and Tim (older brother Misha headed back to Virginia Tech after Thanksgiving). Proud grandparents Donna and Jack were on hand, while parents Elena and Jonathan, president of Moffly Media, encouraged all four children to smile for their photo with Santa.

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Visiting Santa’s reindeer at McArdle’s were Greenwich P&Z Commissioner Nicholas Macri with Despina and Julia Macri (daughter and niece). Credit: Leslie Yager

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Details on the Reindeer Festival and Santa’s Workshop at McArdle’s, as well as the 6th Annual Holiday Stroll weekend are available at GreenwichReindeerFestival.com

McArdle’s Florist and Garden Center is located at 48 Arch St. Tel. (203) 661-5600


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