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5 questions for… Santa A. Claus

Coming to Town

This Santa Claus is the real thing;
just ask kids at Concord Mall

Santa, Mrs. Claus and Dasher.

Late this month, Santa A. Claus — formerly J. Patrick Allen of New Milford, Pa.— begins his seventh year playing his namesake at the Concord Mall in Wilmington, Del. A former truck driver, Claus took up playing Santa after a serious auto accident in 1982. In addition to legally changing his name in 1989, he appears as Santa in numerous television and print ads, owns a Christmas Village with live reindeer, and has genuine whiskers and a real-life belly. He says the job keeps him busy six months a year.

Why did you change your name?

I wanted to be as real as I possibly could. I didn't want to lie to the kids and have them pull off my beard. The two great things is when children really believe, and when adults really believe. There are others [to have legally changed their names] so I knew it could be done. I think there's five in California, one in Illinois and one in Florida.

Where did you get reindeer?

Alaska. I currently have two — Dasher and Rudolph, and I belong to an organization called ROBA — the Reindeer Owners and Breeders Association. Reindeer make great pets, they're very much like ponies. I hope to breed them and sell them.

Have you ever brought your reindeer to the mall?

The former owner of Concord Mall [Urban Retail Properties, Chicago] had a policy about animals of any kind in the mall except for seeing-eye dogs. They have a new owner this year, but I don't know yet what their policy is. We have displayed them near the mall at Rtes. 1 and 202.

Is it difficult to maintain Santa's figure year-round?

Yes, it is. Most people try to lose weight, I just try to keep mine. I just eat as much as I can and try not to worry about what I eat.

What are the best and worst things about being a mall Santa?

The worst part is that you're stuck there. I'm there 10 in the morning until almost 10 at night every day except Monday, when I go home to clean my costume, so I can't do other appearances. The best part is that you get to see as many children as possible and make as many people happy as you can.