The J.Cruse Christmas Gallery has officially opened its doors in South West Lubbock on 6028 82nd Street. The owner, Jackie Cruse is a Post native and owned a smaller shop there for years. Welcoming all kinds of traffic, the store features everything and anything Christmas related. Cruse is especially known for his hand sculpted life size Santas.
“I made one for President Bush, the White House, the Dallas Cowboys, I sent Oprah Winfrey a Santa.” said Cruse.
Starting with a humble beginning in Post, Cruse said although he didn’t grow up with much, his family always taught him to work hard for everything he wants in life. He went to culinary school and had initial intentions of opening a restaurant but said that life worked out unexpectedly. He started sculpting after watching two women fight over a figurine at Hobby Lobby.
“I knew I wanted to do something with Christmas but I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted to do,” said Cruse. “So I started sculpting these little characters and one thing led to another.”
His creations and Santas have been featured in Neiman Marcus stores and Christmas catalogs. He’s worked with different stores across the nation, but said even after all his success it is still a dream to watch his store open up in Lubbock.
“It’s so emotional,” said Cruse. “This might happen to all kinds of people in Lubbock but for me, to see my name go up on the front of the building and it lit up..”
He offers all kinds of services specialized for festive decorating, and said he loves to help customize and cator to each of his customers. The store also offers a unique event venue, offering bridal ornament showers and ‘decorating with a twist’ parties. Cruse said at the end of the day he owes all of his success to God.