Diane Yoder's grandfather used to dress up at Santa at the W.T. Grant store in Somerville.
FLEMINGTON - Diane Yoder is greeted by Santa every morning when she comes to work. And it's not just any Santa.
Yoder, a stylist at A Cut Above Hair Studio in Flemington, had an art student, Tristan Armstrong, recreate a vintage mural of her grandfather as Santa on the window of the hair studio located on Main Street.
"It makes me cry every time I look at it," said Yoder of Lambertville. "It's so nostalgic."
Her grandfather, Chester Bulka, who lived in Bridgewater, dressed up as Santa and entertained kids at the old W.T. Grant & Co. Store in Somerville for decades beginning in the late 1950s, said Yoder.
Santa has breakfast at fire house
Last year, Yoder found a vintage picture she had packed away of her grandfather dressed as Santa and distributed it among family, friends and co-workers. Her bosses at the hair studio liked the photo so much they gave her permission to have it recreated on the window of the business this holiday season.
"It's beautiful," said Yoder. "It looks so life like. When I see it every morning, it makes me feel like my grandfather is looking over my shoulder."
Bulka, who played Santa for decades, died of a heart attack at age 56.
"That my grandfather died so young makes it very special for me to be able to honor him and share his memory with my family, friends and co-workers through this picture," said Yoder. "My grandchildren are too young to understand, but they'll have these pictures forever."
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.