When Scott Brown took over his dad's gas station, Cardinal Plaza Shell Station on Old Keene Mill Road, he also took over decorating responsibility. For over 20 years, the staff at Cardinal Plaza have created elaborate, homemade holiday displays, to the delight of the entire community. From Halloween to Valentine's Day, this gas station is always festive, but it shines most brightly during the Christmas season.
Brown estimates that this year's display features over 100,000 lights. The brightly lit Christmas trees are handmade, as are the candy canes that line the perimeter.
"It would be really hard to copy us," he said, as the entire staff, as well as friends and family, helped create so many components of the display. The inflatable decorations are store bought, but everything else is done in house. Scott and some of his employees have even taken lighting classes, and they put those skills to good use.
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The lights in this elaborate display are set to music played from the radio station run from the shop. There are over three hours of programmed light displays, Scott says, so you won't hear or see the same thing twice. Cardinal Plaza's display is all inclusive, with a large wooden menorah set up to celebrate Hanukkah, as well.
This display brings the community out regularly. On warmer winter nights, local families often line the grass along the lot to take in the whole display, listening to the programmed music from the speakers that are included in the display.
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However, Brown says that this display is as much for the staff as it is for the community. "We work twelve or fourteen hour days, so we get to enjoy it more than anyone else," he said.
For a fun, free alternative to expensive area light shows, take a blanket and some hot chocolate down to Cardinal Plaza Shell. You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like.
