By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Big Creek Crossing has five pop-up stores in the mall this Christmas season as well as a full slate of holiday activities.
The retail stores include Simple Pure Aromatherapy, Christmas Kiosk, Go! Calendars, Silver Fox Sports Cards & Collectibles, and The Nut Place.
Barb and David Pitcock of rural Hays have a wholesale bottling company for essential oils and CBD oils and products. The couple has opened a temporary store in the mall at the former Snow Cone Express location for the holidays.
The couple’s products are National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy certified and 100 percent organic. The CBD oil is mixed with coconut oil.
Barb Pitcock said she is trying to educate the public about CBD oil. Although CBD comes from hemp, it does not contain THC, which is the substance in marijuana that gets you high. CBD oil is legal in Kansas, you do not need a prescription to purchase it and it should not make you fail a drug test, Pitcock said.
The FDA considers CBD a dietary supplement, and Pitcock and her husband are not medical professionals. However, products containing CBD have been used by people for anxiety, arthritis, cramps, to control appetite, nausea, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, depression, inflammation, insomnia, ADHD, headaches, Parkinson’s and asthma.
The store also carries CBD salves, roller balls, massage oil, lotions, dog drops and a variety of bath products.
Pitcock uses the products herself, and she said her nephew has used CBD oil to treat his ADHD.
The Pitcocks hope to have an assortment of other essential oils in stock soon. Some of these include blends for stress, insomnia, energy and appetite control.
“It’s worked for me, and it’s worked for other people. I have a high belief in the healing properties of essential oils,” she said.
If the store proves popular, the Pitcocks will consider keeping the it in the mall on a long-term basis.
Hours are noon to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Sundays.
Christmas Kiosk
Christmas Kiosk was a kiosk at the mall last year and has expanded into a full store space this year. It is on the north end of the mall.
Dennis Wilson and Ron Keller, both of Hays, are partners in the store, which carries a mishmash of merchandise.
Some of their items include bamboo sheets, Amish-crafted indoor and outdoor furniture from Indiana, rocks, fossils, gemstones, marbles, arrowheads, deer antlers, handmade jewelry, antiques, dolls, records, swords, knives and framed pictures.
“There is lots to look at,” Wilson said.
Wilson especially plugged the bamboo sheets, which he carries to fit all sizes of beds. They are 30 percent bamboo, which makes them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They also help wick away perspiration.
The store will be open noon to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Christmas. During special mall events, the store will have extended hours.
Go! Calendars
Go! Calendars and Games is a return business. It is located in the center aisle of the south end of the mall near Maurices. It carries wall calendars, as well as plush toys and games.
Caitlyn Patterson, Go! Calendars manager, said the calendars run from $8 for small calendars to $17 for the largest calendars.
“I think there is a gift for everyone who is in here,” Patterson said. “There are things that range from little kid things all the way up to adult items. I think there is definitely something in there for everybody.”
Go! Calendars is open mall seasonal hours, seven days a week through Christmas.
Silver Fox Sports Cards & Collectibles
Larry Sander of Hays recently retired and has set up a kiosk in the mall across from Tradehome Shoe Store to sell his 30-year collection of sports memorabilia and toys.
He has baseball cards, autographed baseballs, replica championship rings, a vintage Darth Vader toy, Hot Wheels, and Starting Lineup collectible figurines.
“You name it, we might have it,” he said.
Sander said price is negotiable.
Hours will be seasonal mall hours Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Christmas.
The Nut Place
The Nut Place is in the center court at Big Creek. It is a return vendor this year and carries an assortment of cinnamon roasted nuts, as well as fudge.
Pay it Forward Store
The Pay It Forward Store will give away Christmas gifts again this year. The store is located in the former Rue 21 location.
Mall events
The mall is hosting an Angel Tree for needy children as well as is a collection point for gifts for children served by the CAC. Find the trees and collection boxes in the center aisle in the south portion of the mall.
Wine Wonderland
Local vineyards will serve free wine samples during Big Creek Crossing’s second annual Wine Wonderland from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.
Tickets are $20 per person pre-event and $25 at the door. Buy three tickets and get a fourth one free. A limited number of tickets are still available. Only 200 tickets will be sold.
Free wine tote goodie bags will be given to all ticket holders.
All participants must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Don’t forget your license; ID will be checked for all participants on the night of the event.
Some food pairing will also be offered with the wine.
The wineries will have full bottles for sale to both participants and members of the public.
Tickets can be purchased from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the mall office at 2918 Vine. The office is on the south end of the mall near the restrooms.
For more information, call 785-625-3314 or e-mail [email protected].
Holiday Craft Fair
The annual Big Creek Holiday Craft Fair will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.
An estimated 45 crafters will be on hand. A few slots are still available. Cost is $40 for one table or $65 for two tables. Applications are due Friday, Dec. 7. Contact Branson Hoffman at the mall office at 785-625-3314 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Santa at the mall
Santa arrival!
Posted by Big Creek Crossing on Friday, November 23, 2018
Santa arrived by Eagle Med helicopter on Black Friday.
Photos with Santa are $10.
Times Santa will be at the mall are below.
Pet night (dogs and cats only) 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5
1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 8-9
5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14
2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 15
1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 16
4 to 5:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17
4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19, pet photos (dogs and cats only) at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19
1 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20, 21, 22.
1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 23
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24