Santa Claus Visits 7-Eleven in Goleta

The 7-Eleven store at 7390 Calle Real in Goleta, got a surprise visit from none other than the rosy-cheek Santa Claus. It’s another example of What’s Right in Your Community.

Kids got to sit on Santa’s lap and ask for gifts while mom and dad took pictures. Free hot chocolate and donuts were given to the little ones, but Santa had one more gift up his sleeve, a free Slurpee card.

“This store is truly a neighborhood store,” said 7-Eleven Owner Franchisee Ranjeet Thiara. “It’s just great to see everybody come in and have a good time.”

Longtime neighborhood resident Missy could not be more pleased with what she saw Friday night. “This is awesome! Just awesome. I made sure my grandson slept over tonight just so that we could come here.”

The Calle Real 7-Eleven store was previously owned and operated by Angelo Pighetti, and later Santa Barbara City Fire Capt. Tony Pighetti ran the store for his retired father.

Many residents, like Janette McWeeney, said that in the nearly five decades of the store’s existence, this was the first time they had seen Santa Claus visit the neighborhood.

“It’s all about giving back to the community,” said Santa Barbara County native and Friday night’s Santa Claus, Nick Salvesen. “It about building a good relationship with the community and show that 7-Eleven is not this big store everyone thinks it is.”

Although parents could not receive the free hot chocolate and donuts, they could still take advantage of the other special offers the store had like $5 dollar pizzas, and 50 cent hot dogs and Slurpees.

Santa’s next visit and location is still being kept a secret, but expect him to pop up again very soon.

Slideshow: 7-Eleven Santa Claus Spreads Holiday Cheer in Goleta Neighborhood