When I was a little boy growing up in Cincinnati, my family and I would take an annual Christmas trip to Downtown Cincinnati to see the Shillito's Elves (and Santa, of course!). The mechanized elves were in all the windows of that wonderful old block long department store. I watched in awe(like Ralphie in the movie A Christmas Story) as the Shillito's Elve's helped Santa prepare for Christmas. It was an exciting time!
As it turns out, my future wife, Debbi, would also visit the Elves as a little girl. She and her family would make the annual trip from Colerain (Groesbeck). Perhaps we were there at the same time and didn't even know it!
Years later when our son, Jonathan, was born, the Elves were still going strong. We were able to make the yearly trip to Shillito's with him as well. After all, they were there for over 50 years! To our knowledge, this is the only display of its kind in the world.
After Shillito's closed, the Elves were thankfully saved, but have been in storage for 20+ years. Their future is uncertain.
Here's were we are counting on you. A fundraiser is underway to save the Shillito's Elves. Their new home will be at Newport On The Levy. This will be their permanent home, and space has already been reserved.
As you will read below, they need restoration and set design. Please follow the link below and watch the video produced by Channel 12 about the history of the Elves. We need your donation, however small or large. You can be sure it will be appreciated. Please help preserve them for future generations. Your children and grandchildren will thank you for it!
