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Kids enjoy tea with Santa
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
CANFIELD
Santa Claus stopped to share a treat with kids, but it wasn’t the same old cookies and milk.
About 70 people visited Piccadilly Parlour Victorian Tearoom on Sunday to have tea with Santa. Children enjoyed chicken nuggets, mini cheese pizzas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, corn dogs and fruit while their parents and grandparents snacked on miniature tea sandwiches, quiche and salad.
Kids were able to drink hot cocoa out of china tea cups – something Julian Lopez, 4, looks forward to each year. This is the third year he’s attended the event with his grandmother, Liz Lopez, and his brother, Jose Lopez, 8.
“They love it, and Julian loves the teacups,” Liz, of Campbell, said.
The brothers live in Columbus, but visit their grandmother each year at Thanksgiving.
Julian said the cocoa tastes better in a fancy cup. He also enjoyed his pizza.
Jose said he looks forward to it every year. It’s fun, he said.
He asked Santa for a board game. Julian asked for a robot.
Jose was particularly pleased this year because he said the real Santa attended.
“I think it’s great,” Liz said. “It’s a fantastic thing to do, especially with your grandkids. Eventually, they get too old to enjoy these things, and so you gotta do it as long as they’re little enough to.”
Many children in attendance had fun in the dress up area of the tea room. They could choose from a variety of hats, dresses and boas.
Five-year-old Lily Franko of Youngstown donned a pink dress and floppy white hat with a large white bow. Her brother, Leo Franko, 2, chose a red hat. This was their first time having tea with Santa.
“We love it,” said Alece Franko, their mother. “Lily loves to dress up.”
Lily and Leo’s grandmother, Melinda Franko of Lake Milton, and great-grandmother, Stella Pappada of Boardman, joined them for the tea.
“It’s pretty much about family time,” said Claudia Zacharko, owner of Piccadilly. “We’ve got mamas [and] papas here.”
Many families attend year after year, she said. The venue typically appeals to girls, Zacharko noted, but this event draws families.
“It’s something [the kids] remember when they grow up,” Zacharko said.
Santa took time to talk with each child, as well as pose for pictures.
This is the 11th year for the event. More events with Santa are planned for this year. Information is available at piccadillytearoom.com.