Snow falling outside added to the festive atmosphere at Four Twelve coffee shop in Hamburg as Santa visited with children on Dec. 9.
“It was good. It was a really, really busy day,” said Kristin Stamm, operations manager. “A bunch of our regulars brought their kids out and they just had a really good time. It was fun watching the kids and seeing parents taking time to be with their kids.”
Young Kaleb Patton of Breinigsville patiently waited his turn to talk to Santa and ask him for his dream gift, a bicycle.
He nodded, smiling shyly, when Santa asked if that was all he wanted.
“You know what else you’re going to get?” Santa asked, chuckling. “How ’bout some socks and underwear?”
“I just found out about Four Twelve recently,” said his mother, Jessie Patton, said as she looked on. She began working in Hamburg about two weeks ago and visited the coffee shop on one of her first days. Since then, she laughed, “It’s become my new hangout spot.”
The Pattons were one of many families who stopped in to visit Santa and enjoy the free cookies and milk for young visitors, offered that day from 12 to 2 p.m. The cookies, brightly decorated as reindeer, candy canes and ornaments, were created by local bakery, The Smith Homestead of Bernville.
The Four Twelve Birthday Bash began at opening on Dec. 9, with the first 20 guests receiving a free hot coffee. A handful of customers were waiting at the door by 7 a.m., and a steady stream filled the coffee shop until it closed at 4 p.m.
Midway through, all the tables were filled and baristas joked with regular customers as they gave orders and wrote out prize drawing slips. Winners included Josh Hartman, who won a tumbler; Craig Shollenberger, a gift card, and Cory Johnson, mug and gift card set.
Some customers chatted over drinks and treats, other greeted newcomers or admired babies in strollers. Christmas music played in the background as youngsters wandered from watching parents toward the unmistakable draw of Santa.
“Don’t eat all the cookies,” he called out to some as they headed to their family table. When the kids looked up, confused, when a Santa parade drove noisily past on Fourth Street, Santa took it in stride, informing the children that the “other Santa” was one of his many helpers. They happily turned back to their cookies.
“It was really fun for us,” Stamm said on behalf of her coworkers. “Sometimes we get so busy as a staff, it was a chance to enjoy the season.”
She said the bash also helped the coffee shop continue its mission: bringing the community together.
Four Twelve, 12 South Fourth Street in Hamburg, is open Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 484-660-3703 or visit online at fourtwelvecoffee.com.
