Alana Saunders, owner of Iddles Lane Emporium.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Since acquiring Iddles Lane Emporium, shop owner Alana Saunders has dreamed of creating a Christmas display for Rochester locals and visitors to marvel at.
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Although Christmas was still weeks away, when November rolled around, Mrs Saunders wasted no time setting up her display in the store-front window.
Mrs Saunders said when she took over the emporium four months ago, she had immediately envisioned a Christmas display.
“When we first bought the shop, my big thing was I wanted to have a big Christmas window,” she said.
“I wanted to make it something sort of special that people come past and see, and then come back next year to see what it looks like.”
The Iddles Lane Emporium Christmas display.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Mrs Saunders’ father spent 25 years as a shopping centre Santa, naturally making Christmas a cherished tradition in their family.
Since his passing six years ago, Mrs Saunders has carried on his legacy and is now sharing her love for the holiday with the Rochester community.
Her very first Christmas display is hard to miss, featuring Santa’s sleigh, a full-sized Christmas tree, Santa Claus and his busy elves hard at work.
Christmas lights lining the window frame, tree and backboard stay illuminated around the clock, adding to the atmosphere, especially at night.
Inside the store, the festive cheer continues with even more decorations, including a Christmas tree-shaped shelf handcrafted by her husband.
Mrs Saunders with the custom-made Christmas tree shelf built by her husband Pete Saunders.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Mrs Saunders said despite her doubts, the display has been well received by the community.
“I was a little bit nervous about putting so much up so early... but the response is that everyone loves it,” she said.
“I do purposely walk around the block when I leave the store, the kids (are) banging on the glass and pointing out Santa and getting all excited about the elves, and it's beautiful to see.
“I love this time of year for the way that it makes everybody a little bit nicer to each other and a little bit kinder, and I think that's kind of special.”
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