Washington Square has long reigned as Oregon’s premier shopping center. It says so right on their website — and who am I to argue with that? So it would only stand to reason that Oregon’s premier shopping center would also have Oregon’s premier shopping center Santa, right?
I know someone who would agree with that statement: Washington Square Santa himself. The man does not lack for self-confidence.
Washington Square Santa is all about status. Many shopping mall Santas reside in a small fenced-off area with the standard-issue green wingback chair strategically placed in front of a brightly decorated tree. The luckier Santas also get a fireplace. Washington Square Santa lives at Santa’s Lodge.
His lodge is brightly colored and looks like it was designed by the same people who brought you Hallmark Gold Crown stores. And while he too has the green wingback chair, his chair has gold trim at the bottom of it. Nothing says “I’ve made it!” like gold trim. If you are not impressed by Santa’s tricked out lodge, sitting next to Santa is a bottomless treasure chest full of candy canes. And off to the side sits his scepter adorned with red and white ribbons.
Between visits, Santa sits in his gold-trimmed lodge chair and tweaks his curly-tipped imperial mustache. Santa casually waves at onlookers and poses for photos taken by his adoring fans. Unlike the Lloyd Center Santa, this Santa is not protected by copyright laws.
Santa loves to have his picture taken and can be seen art directing his photo elves between takes. I’m sure he is able to feign some interest in what it is that you want for Christmas, but it would probably be best if you Eddie Haskell-ed up your request a little. For example, if you want a red bicycle for Christmas, it might not hurt to mention that you have never seen a red as spectacular as Santa’s suit.
I don’t mean to suggest that Washington Square Santa is a bad Santa. I suspect that if you are looking for the best Santa photo for your scrapbook, he is the guy you want to see. After all, you didn’t spend five hours scrubbing your kids down and struggling to dress them in their velvet finery to have their picture taken with a hillbilly slob. It’s a little disappointing to take your kids to the mall to visit Santa and find this guy:
(Sorry Salem Centre Santa, but seriously – what ARE you wearing?)
Coming up next: Pioneer Place Santa
Previous Santas: Lloyd Center Santa & Clackamas Town Center Santa
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I don’t know if this Santa made your list, but the Mall 205 Santa is pretty good, particularly because there is NO LINE. Of course that could be because Mall 205 is the red-headed stepchild of malls in Portland, but the Santa set-up is sweet. (gold chair, fireplace, real beard, etc)
That santa’s beard looks real. Like Santa Real. I like a real beard on a Santa. We should get pictures of OurPDX contributors on Santa’s lap. What do you want for Christmas, @metroknow?
Sigh. I still miss the Santa at Meier and Frank’s, he was great.
The Santa at Pioneer Place points at you (adults) as you’re going up the escalator, and tells you what you wanted as a child. It’s weird, and slightly invasive.
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