Roy Tittle played Santa for years at Park Road Shopping Center
Tittle was a beloved Santa Claus at Woolworth's and later Blackhawk Hardware.
Did you sit on his lap when you were a kid?
Did you take your own children? I still have a photo of my kids visiting him at Blackhawk.
(Address is in comments if you want to send Roy a card)
December 16, 1982/Charlotte News
'Erin Russell, 6 years old, with Santa (Roy Tittle) at Woolworth's, Park Road Shopping Center.'
'Felicia Freeman (l) and Shannon Freeman rush into Woolworth's.'
December, 1989. Tom Franklin/Staff
Woolworth Co., Park Road Shopping Center.
January, 1992. Diedra Laird/Staff
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27 comments:
I am pretty sure this was the same Santa that drove a red Alpha Romeo or MG convertible with the license plate that said "St.Nick". If it was parked out front you knew Santa was in!
He was the best! We called him "the Real Santa!"
Anon - yes, I heard he drove a red MG with plate that might've read 'Santa'. Tx for the comment and happy holidays!
There also used to be a holiday castle they would set up at Woolworth's each year, on the sidewalk right there in front of the store I think, plus the large evergreen tree near the center of the parking lot would be lit for the holidays. No more. The developers/new owners/whoever decided they had to CUT DOWN THE TREE in the name of progress!
That's him...he drove a red car with a "Santa" tag took my kids to him for years...
Roy Tittle has been a long-time friend of my family, and my children always thought he was the real Santa. He visited our home on a regular basis and the children across the street thought Santa came to our house all year long! He loved playing Santa. Sadly, he has aged and is in poor health, but still remembers being Santa.
Anon 12:15 - I hope someone shows him this blog post! -M
My son's 1st photo with Santa was with him...typical crying child, so the entire family is with him...many memories and I cherish that photo with the family and the REAL Santa!!!
Wasn't the Santa castle directly in front of another store further down the shopping center past Woolworth, between Woolworth and Eckerd?
My Parents took me and my twin there back in the early 70's. He was the real Santa for us and many more in Charlotte.
Genise Kydd
When I moved to Charlotte in 1983 and was the manager at the Hardees on Wilkinson Blvd., he was one of our regular morning customers. He was really the only Santa I knew before I became one myself.
Maria, the Charlotte Observer did a story about him in 84 or 85 and his picture was on the front page, I would love to see the clip of that! I remember that morning in Hardees like it was yesterday. The other customers were making a big deal about it and was getting him to autograph the picture.
Danny - I wish I could locate that but it's not in the clip file or electronic archives. Rats!! Thanks for the comment. I love y'alls ideas. M
He was my Santa. My parents took us to Blackhawk Hardware every year.
In his "real life" he was an insurance agent. I had occasions to sit by him at industry luncheons. He carried a business card that showed his alter-identity as Santa. I would always get him to write a note to my daughter on one of his business cards. In the evening I would tell my daughter that I had lunch with Santa and giver her a copy of his business card with a note to her. It was particularly effective around Christmas time.
Sweet memories of Mr. Tittle and his wife while getting pictures made yearly at Woolworth six years in a row. I have those pictures framed in a collage and look at them every Christmas. He was so great with kids. Really miss those days. It would be nice if we could send him a card thanking him for such wonderful memories.
Plano- what a nice idea! I have a database at work that shows addresses. Let me think about if its proper to post it. Maria
Thanks for checking Maria. CJ
CJ - public records show Roy Tittle lives at 812 HILL ST SHELBY, NC 28152-7120 . If you send a card would you include a copy of the blog post, so he won't be completely confused? Thanks. Maria
my grandfather, Cliff, was the general manager of this Woolworth for 35 yrs. I sat on this Santa's lap every Christmas. Thanks for the memories Roy!
Josh, that is awesome! Merry Christmas!
My mom took my sister and I to see him every year. He had a particular fondness for my sister who is handicapped. I will never forget the Christmas Eve he and his wife showed up at our apartment with gifts for my sister and I. That is a true Christmas miracle. He is a wonderful man and I know there are many who will always remember him as "the real Santa"
Roy is my Stepfather and Being Santa was the happiest most Joyous 28 years of his life. I am so thrilled that you published this article about him and he has not been forgotten. I would love to have a copy of it so that I can take it to him and Mom so they can keep it. I would be ever so grateful if someone could mail me one. Roy now suffers from Dementia but he will never forget all the happy children and smiles on their faces when they would climb up in his Sleigh and onto his lap.
Thank you so much for publishing this story it truly means a lot to our Family.
May God Bless you and May you all have a very Merry Christmas.
Jennifer Stout
2212 Wildwood Dr
York,SC 29745
Maria, Roy is my stepfather and he would be sooo Thrilled to receive cards and letters about memories from the past. Thank you so very much for posting this 😊
Jennifer, tx so much for the msg and address. I've let folks on FB group I am a Native Charlottean know. They were the ones who inspired the blog and they have lots of happy memories of yr stepfather! Take care. Maria
Jen, I'll mail you a copy of the post!
Jen, I'll mail you a copy of the post!
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