Many restaurants and businesses are closed on Christmas, which is no surprise. But Giovanni’s in Nicholasville wasn’t only open; they were flooded with over a hundred customers. The best part? They ate for free, thanks to an anonymous donor who goes by Santa Claus.
“I ask him, can I say your name? He said no, just leave it as is, just say Santa. And that’s what I have him in my phone. His name is Santa in my phone,” said owner and manager of Giovanni’s in Nicholasville, Omar Shalash.
He added this is the second year he’s collaborated with the donor, and despite the community always asking, “Who’s the donor?”
“Does he live around her?” “What’s his name? I won’t tell anyone…” Shalash is not spilling the secret. “He’s not looking to be in public and people know ‘ah he did it.’ He’s not looking for that,” added the small business owner.
Shalash isn’t looking for a pat on the back, either. The buffet was supposed to be open until 8 o’clock, but they were baking pies until 8:30.
“I was busy back in the kitchen making the pizzas because if I wasn’t making all the pizza, then there would be no food. So I did not stop from 5 o clock to 8:30,” he said.