Associated Press
BELLINGHAM — A 6-year-old boy who dresses up like Santa Claus and doles out presents from a big red bag was told to take his holiday cheer somewhere else by Bellis Fair Mall.
"I was cuter than their Santa," Joel Demmon declared Monday.
The 4-foot-2-inch first grader has been donning a red suit and flowing white beard for two years and giving away presents at malls and stores, said his mother, Tracey Demmon.
"They stop for a moment while this little Santa gives them a present, and their face lights up, his face lights up, and it’s just a moment of happiness," she told KOMO-TV.
Joel gets the toys from dollar stores and fast-food restaurants.
The boy cried after an employee of the north Bellingham mall ordered him out on Friday, saying he was competing with the mall’s own Santa and creating liability issues by giving out toys, his mother said.
Bellis Fair spokeswoman Mary Vermillion said the would-be St. Nick got the boot "in fairness to everybody who wants access to the mall, so we avoid any unfortunate situations," not because of any competition he posed.
Joel has continued his gift-giving elsewhere in Bellingham, a town of about 60,000 located about 60 miles north of Everett.
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