West Pelzer Debuts a New Home for Santa

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

With a jolly ho-ho-ho, West Pelzer christened a new, official home for Santa Claus on Tuesday.

The new building, Gaines Hall in Chapman Park, was named in honor of Johnny Gaines who served as West Pelzer mayor for 24 years.

Gaines' granddaughter, West Pelzer Municipal Clerk Paula Payton, cut the ribbon and thanked the town for lauding Gaines' memory.

The building first saw life as a Girl Scout hut on Evans Street before being moved to the current location where it served as a jail before being closed years ago.

It sat empty for decades until then mayor and now S.C. Rep. Blake Sanders secured grant money to restore the outside of the building including new doors and roof. The inside, with a dirt floor, still looked more like the old jail until the town got a grant to finish the community building’s interior.

Mayor Rick Sanders said his first idea was to use it this holiday season as a home for Santa, and called his long-time friend and West Pelzer resident Rick Riddley to put on the red suit. Sanders said Riddley already had the right color beard and hair as was the perfect choice.

Riddley said he was happy to answer the mayor’s call, though it is his first time as Santa.

He said he welcomes the opportunity to join with the town for the holiday season. He’ll conclude his duty at the Dec. 5 West Pelzer Christmas Parade.

The times and dates Santa will be at the building will be posted soon on the town’s Facebook and other social media.

Mayor Sanders said after the holidays, the town would use the building for other events and activities.