After 38 years on the job, Santa Luke still has time for everyone. Yes, you too
Somewhere in Maryland, there's a mantel with a framed photo of Santa with a raccoon on his lap.
That's the image that comes to mind as a longtime mall Santa tells me about one of his oddest visitors, long ago, on Pet Night.
"They wanted to take a picture of the raccoon with Santa," he says. "And you know, they love their raccoon. They brought the raccoon here. So, Santa took the picture."
And that sums up Santa Luke — not just any mall Santa, but one of the best to ever do it. He doesn't turn people away, or make them feel awkward. They come to him looking for something. And he wants to give it to them.
"Santa has experienced it all — in a positive way," he says.
His real name is Luke Durant, a man who is a legend in his own right at Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore. Some people drive for hours to see him. The raccoon story is one of many you might hear when you spend the day with Santa Luke, who is on his 39th
