Retro Sea Bright Shop & Santa Time — Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect

Ca Ching! Santa really knew how to “sleigh” kids in the ’60s! As you wait for the jolly big guy in red to hit that rooftop or shimmy down the chimney, know that he has been known to appear in the most unlikely of places, so keep your eyes peeled … in the grocery store. Yes, the grocery store.

This Retro Pic of the Day is proof that the magic of Christmas can spur on a Santa visit of the oddest kind. But, hey, a kid will take a Santa sighting where they can get it. And nothing says Merry Christmas like a happy time and a little food shopping between Rumson sisters and a Sea Bright Santa.

Yes, food shopping. This, ahem, unique looking Santa was perched on a stool in the late 1960s at none other than Foodtown, or what used to be Foodtown, on Ocean Avenue.

Doesn’t get much better than having a little Santa time at the supermarket. It’s a jingle all the way down the aisles and right to the red-suited wonder. Groceries and festivities. And if you were on the naughty list, I’m guessing it was no snacks for you!

But these girls, Jo Ann (left) and Julie (right) Slocum, Rumson-raised RFHers from the classes of ’79 and ’76, got all that was good from Santa on their visit. The smiles say it all. Santa? Well, with that “interesting” beard, no one can really tell.

Jo Ann says their mom used to take them to Foodtown a lot. She was a regular there. So, finding Santa there was a grocery shopping bonus. This Foodtown was officially Fox’s Foodtown and Liquor Store. Owner Arthur Fox was in the store a lot and, Jo Ann says, she and her sister got to know him on their treks with mom. Talk about local magic of Christmas and everyday shopping.

This was a simple, happy holiday time among Rumson sisters, one of whom, Julie, passed recently. So, on this first Christmas without Sea Bright Foodtown Santa and all its 1967 or so magic, remember that a sibling is an unbeknownst Christmas gift that gives a lifetime and leaves eternal memories like this behind.

RIP, Julie. No need to look for the Christmas magic when it’s been safely packed those shopping bags for years.

Now, about that Santa … Ho no!