105 The First Department Store Santa

Before children could line up in shopping malls to meet Santa Claus, Santa mostly lived in stories, drawings, and Christmas Eve imagination. Then, in 1890, a store owner in Brockton, Massachusetts named James Edgar put on a Santa suit — and accidentally helped create one of America’s most beloved Christmas traditions. Known as “Colonel Jim,” Edgar was playful, generous, and loved making children smile. What may have started as a clever holiday promotion became something much bigger when children believed they were meeting the real Santa Claus. In this episode of Twist of Fate Radio, we share the heartwarming story of the first department store Santa — and how one man’s simple idea brought Santa a little closer to home. 🔗 Explore more stories at TwistOfFateRadio.com 🎙️ For voiceover work, visit ClarkVOServices.com.