The Christmas Shoppe’s Opening Sparked by Nostalgia for Christmases Past
The Christmas Shoppe in Pittsburg, Kansas, captures everything people love about the season with lights, music and the smell of cinnamon rolls straight from the oven.
Owners Matt and Lisa Blessant built The Christmas Shoppe in 2019 and opened it the following year. The shop sits on land that has been in Matt’s family since the 1970s. What was once a pasture now welcomes visitors from near and far each holiday season.
“I’m a Christian, and I felt called to do this,” Lisa says. “I’ve always loved to make things and decorate, and I wanted to create a space where people could feel the magic of the season again.”
That dream goes back to her childhood in Pittsburg, when downtown windows were decorated for Christmas and families spent the day shopping together. Those memories inspired Lisa to create a place where children could feel that same magic again.
The Blessants own a rock quarry, where Lisa works full-time. The business gave her the space and opportunity to imagine creating the shop, something she dreamed about for nearly a decade before breaking ground.
Inside, the shop is arranged in sections, each with its own style. One area highlights the gingerbread collection, while others feature cardinals and country décor. Lisa said the section with white decorations has been especially popular this year. In the middle of the store, vintage holiday scenes show Santa in his sleigh and a cozy fireplace surrounded by old-fashioned toys, ornaments and more. It is the perfect spot to take a picture and make a new memory.
When visitors walk in for the first time, Lisa says their reactions are often the same. “They stop in their tracks,” she says with a laugh. “They expect a little Christmas shop, and then they say, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect this much Christmas.’”
Customers shop in different ways. Some pick up a single ornament, while others add to a favorite collection. One customer was so impressed that they bought the tree, decorations and all.
Lisa says most of the products are bought at market, where she is always looking for something unique that cannot be found in big box stores. More and more, the team is making its own products. The addition of a laser cutter has allowed them to create custom ornaments, and Lisa enjoys making wreaths and signs.
“As much as we can do ourselves, I’d like to,” she says. “I think we can make better products with better finishes.”
Regular customer Sandra Robin, who was enjoying her meal during our interview, offered her praise. “The shop has been a blessing to Pittsburg. We used to go to a Christmas shop in Kansas City, but Lisa brought that to us.”
The Christmas Shoppe opened for the season in September. On Nov. 1, Santa flipped the switch at the annual lighting ceremony. The celebration also included a craft fair, a petting zoo, bounce house, cookie walk and a candy cane hunt. To stay up to date on upcoming events and activities, follow The Christmas Shoppe on Facebook.
December is chock full of celebrations at The Christmas Shoppe. Santa visits every Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00. Guests can also enjoy a special Dinner with Santa, where he reads “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” There is a Christmas Tea Party, along with other gatherings throughout the month.
“We just come up with different ideas to do throughout the season,” Lisa says.
The café inside the shop draws as many visitors as the décor. Friends meet there for lunch and to celebrate birthdays. The menu features homemade soups, hot dogs, baked potatoes and desserts.
“My husband said if I was going to have a kitchen, I’d better have something to eat,” Lisa says. “So I started testing soups on him, and that’s how it all began.”
A friend shared a family chili recipe that quickly became a staple. The baked goods all come from Lisa’s own recipes. I tried the cinnamon roll, and it was delicious and as big as a dinner plate. Coconut cream pie is the best seller, with chocolate coming in a close second.
Visitors come from across the region and beyond. Some drive from Pittsburg and Joplin, while others arrive from states away.
“One year, we even had people from Africa stop in,” Lisa says. “We meet folks from everywhere, and everyone has a story.”
One recent guest messaged the shop to say they drove about 11 hours from Colorado for the craft show and lunch.
The Blessants added an event center and pavilion in 2022. The additional space has helped them host parties, school groups and special dinners, making the shop a true destination during the holidays.
Lisa’s nephew, Marcus West, and his wife, Desirea, also work at the shop. Marcus handles the outdoor decorations and heavy lifting, while Desirea manages Facebook and advertising.
“I love talking to people and socializing,” Desirea says. “I really enjoy seeing people’s responses on Facebook and how much it’s grown. It’s rewarding to share what we do here.”
You might be surprised to learn that Lisa keeps her decorations simple at home.
“By the time I’m done here, I’m lucky to get one tree up with a string of lights,” she says with a smile.
The Christmas Shoppe may only be open for a few months each year, but for many, it marks the official start of the holiday season.
“It’s a blessing to see people walk in and smile,” Lisa says. “I just want everyone who visits to leave with a little bit of that Christmas spirit.”
The Christmas Shoppe is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 1608 W. 4th St. in Pittsburg, Kansas.
