Take a peek: Santa's workshop opens in Shannon

SHANNON – Children in Shannon can get a look at Santa’s workshop this holiday season, courtesy of Eastland Feed and Grain.

About a dozen employees replicated the shop where Claus and crew make toys for good little girls and boys. The display is at 417 W. Market St., in Shannon, in a multipurpose building owned by Eastland Feed and Grain.

“It gets kids more excited about Christmas and brings the spirit of Christmas back, to know Santa’s workshop,” said Stacy Coulthard, Eastland's human resources director. “It brings that magic back, to see everything that happens in Santa’s workshop.”

The company had a small display at the site a year ago, then expanded it for this season. It has a reindeer, sleigh, Santa’s tools, presents, a tree, stockings, a children’s "nice" list, a world map for Santa’s travels and a mailbox for letters.

Those viewing the display are asked to come after dusk, to get the full effect.

“They’re not going to get much out of it if they’re not there in the dark,” said Roger Coulthard, the company's general manager. “It really needs to be after dark because it’s going to be back-lit inside. You can’t see much inside during the day.”

There is no charge to view the workshop, which will be lighted from dusk until dawn for the rest of the holiday season. Proper social distancing must be observed; other than that, all that is asked is that visitors enjoy themselves.

“Basically they’ve got to come and peek in the windows, which is just what Santa Claus does when he’s checking who's naughty and nice,” Roger said. “Now you know how Santa Claus does it.”