It seems like just yesterday my dad and Glen took me to Los Angeles on one of our routine buying trips for their store, William Glen. They walked the show, talked to reps, told stories, worked deals, repeated jokes (never did hear the one titled “Sand Paper Sally” during which I always had to walk away) and I carried the brief case. These were fun days and one of the best parts for me was to see Uncle Erv and Aunt Julie.

Erv and Julie Keller owned a store in Modesto called Keller’s Gifts. It still stands today as one of the Central Valley’s finest gift stores. Anyway, Erv told my dad about this stuff that “checked” (Erv’s word for something that sold really well!) and that he was a fool if he didn’t bring it in. Dad and Glen looked at it but passed.

This was March. In September of the same year, which must have been 1983 or 1984, Erv pulled up to our loading door and dropped off about 10

Dickens Village Clock Tower is sure to be a hit.

cases of Christmas houses. “Bill, sell this and when you are out I’ll get you some more. Pay me when Christmas gets here”, Erv said. Erv made 3 more trips between then and December.

This was our introduction to The Original Snow Village by Department 56. Since then our family has been one of the largest dealers in the area and now my sister and I are the only dealer in Sacramento to sell this product year round. Department 56 has also introduced many other villages including Dickens Village, Snow Village Halloween, Alpine Village, Disney Village and many others. Several have been introduced and retired like the short lived Seasons Bay which attempted to depict a village through the four seasons of the year.

This year, 2011 marks the 35th anniversary of Department 56. To celebrate this amazing anniversary each village is getting a brand new clock tower. The clocks are all set at the trademark 5 minutes before 6 o’clock and are all priced at $35 to mark this momentous birthday. All clocks are available now for pre-order which we highly recommend. It’s going to be a blood bath out there in November and December trying to get these pieces! Anyone forget the Cabbage Patch Doll craze? We think this will be a mini version of that.

North Pole Series Clock Tower $35

Dickens Village Clock Tower $35

Halloween Snow Village Clock Tower $35

Alpine Village Clock Tower $35

The Original Snow Village Clock Tower $35

Each clock tower is made to coordinate with the respective villages. These pieces will be in high demand for their collectibility and their value.  Pre-order yours today to ensure you

Christmas in the CityClock Tower $35

don’t miss out.