One complaint was all it took for John Toomey to lose a job he has had since 1990. At a Macy’s in San Francisco, Toomey was playing his usual Santa Claus role when an adult couple sat on his lap. He told them his common joke about the reason why Santa was always happy: “Santa’s so happy and jolly cause he knows where all the naughty boys and girls live.”
As KTRE reports, Toomey recounts another moment with the couple: “They came and sat on my knee and I said, ‘Have you been good this year? Oh, yes, Santa’ and I said, “Oh, that’s too bad.”
When the couple complained to Macy’s management, the department promptly fired Toomey, refusing to discuss the incident to media.
After the firing went pubic last weekend, Toomey’s voicemail was soon filled with messages from lawyers, publicity agents and employers offering him private gigs, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The white-bearded Kris Kringle actor decided to choose Lefty’s, a sports bar close to Union Square.
Nick Bovis, co-owner of Lefty’s, told the Chronicle: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have John help us with our toy drive. I’ve been going to see him for years, and taken my kids. He’s the best Santa around.”
The blog SFist reports Toomey will be at Lefty’s seven days a week from 3 to 8 p.m. through Christmas Eve, giving out presents to children during the bar’s annual toy drive.
The Chronicle writes Toomey will be able to act how he wants at Lefty’s, naughty jokes and all.
