by Jessica Pope
Located at 5157 Mill Store Road in Lake Park, The Christmas Factory keeps the holiday spirit alive and well seven days a week, 365 days a year. It’s basically the North Pole of South Georgia, only its workers are not elves or toy makers.
Lance and Diane Lichtenwalter originally opened The Christmas Factory, a division of Christmas Cheer Inc., in the small Cook County city of Adel approximately nine years ago. The husband and wife team later relocated the uncommon store to the outlet mall area of Lake Park, where they have welcomed young and old through their doors for four years.
“A good percentage of our customers are people driving up and down the interstate,” Lance noted. “Our merchandise is deep and varied. We have things you will not see in ... (other cities) and people know that.”
The decision to open The Christmas Factory was an easy one for the couple, who truly believed all ages would embrace a holiday store year-round. And they were right. Diane said not a day goes by that she does not sell someone an ornament or a string of lights or a keepsake figurine. People are always on the lookout for something that brings a little joy to their lives and Christmas merchandise seems to do just that, even if it’s in the middle of August and 100 degrees outside.
Lance and Diane enjoy seeing families with small children visit The Christmas Factory. They like to show off their blue tree that lives inside a flurry of white snow and miniature village complete with an automated train, ferris wheel and other features.
“We love what we get to do each day,” Diane said, smiling.
The Christmas Factory features everything from the Fontanini Nativity Collection to the Lemax Village Collection to the Dickens Village Series to the North Pole Series. There are also Kurt S. Adler Nutcracker dolls, original ones and character ones from such classics as the Wizard of Oz; ornaments of every shape and size and special interest, from frogs and Elvis Presley to the military and baby; a host of lights, garland and snowmen; and even a Santa Claus or two or a hundred.
Those not interested in holiday merchandise all year long will be happy to note that The Christmas Factory boasts a large selection of home decor and gift items. This includes such things as Howard Miller floor clocks, a substantial sports collection series, Nightshirts in the Bag by Emerson Street, a fragrance collection by Greenleaf, items from both Oh You Doll and Oh You Dude, Arias Windchimes and so much more.
The Christmas Factory is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Sunday. For more information, call (229) 559-1711 or visit
www.chrismoose.com.
