Some say hourly rate is too expensive; others say it’s good for business
By Larry Perl (Baltimore Messenger: Hampden, 12/13/2012)
The Hampden Village Merchants Association has a new Santa clause.
After much debate over the need for a Santa Claus to stroll The Avenue during the holidays and how much the said Santa should be paid, the merchants association voted Wednesday, Dec. 12, to pay a Santa $70 per hour, on the two Saturdays and Sundays preceding Christmas.
…Harris, wearing a Santa hat, attended the meeting, at which one retailer questioned the need for a Santa at all, while others suggested limiting his hours.
Harris sat impassively as Sue Caldwell, owner of the knitting store Lovelyarns, argued against employing Harris or any Santa for that matter.
“As a business owner, it’s difficult for me to quantify the benefit of a Santa. It’s a lot of money,” she said. “I would like to see the money spent on a new logo” for Hampden merchants.
Continue reading “Hampden merchants debate necessity of Santa on The Avenue” at Baltimore Messenger: Hampden.
