You’ll have two chances to be photographed with Grinch knockoff the Green Grouch this holiday season, and if you do, you’ll help generate funds for Operation Santa, which benefits children and seniors in the care of San Luis Obispo County’s Department of Social Services.
Banshee Beauty Company hosts the event at 570 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, located in The Creamery, two days only: Sunday, Dec. 8 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and Sunday, Dec. 15 (3 to 7 p.m.). The meet-and-greet is free, but if you want a commemorative photo taken and printed on the spot, it’s $20; or snap your own cellphone photo for $10. Twenty-five percent of the profits go to Operation Santa. During the two-day event, the salon is also launching its first product, a bar shampoo, and owner Jessi Campbell will be offering face painting for $20, as well as permanent jewelry.
This is a family act, and Jessi’s husband, Curtis Campbell, is the man dressing up as the Green Grouch. He’s also decorating a Christmas parade float to look like Whoville, the fictional Dr. Seuss town from How the Grinch Stole Christmas! See him on Friday, Dec. 6, during the 48th annual Downtown Holiday Parade (more info in the fast fact section below).
So why the Green Grouch instead of the Grinch?
“I’m the Green Grouch because I didn’t want to pay licensing fees,” Campbell quipped. “Personally, I like character acting, so the thought of getting to be a jerk all holiday season while getting paid and raising money for charity sounded like a win-win.”
How’d he come up with the idea?
“Originally, we had a Halloween idea, and it slowly morphed into Christmas because of the parade. It’s also a better time to hawk retail, and since we were new at this, I wanted to do something more in our favor.”
How did they choose a nonprofit?
“We picked Operation Santa because they take care of people on a local level, and they’re not allowed to advertise because they’re through Social Services. We’ve sponsored kids through them the last few years, and I hated they couldn’t advertise, so I thought I could help by being a hype man for them.”
What about this first product, bar soap?
“Bar shampoos are relatively new. They’re growing in popularity because there’s no plastic—very good for the environment. There’s also no water, so it’s more concentrated, meaning you’re getting around 2 to 3 times more shampoo. It’s designed for hair but can be used everywhere else. We hand-make the product and package it ourselves. This is the initial launch, but it will continue to become more refined through the year. We do plan to create a product line. As of right now, the next product will most likely be a blow dry spray or cream.”
You’re a clean one, Mr. Grouch.
Fast fact
• The 48th annual Downtown Holiday Parade comes to San Luis Obispo on Friday, Dec. 6, beginning at 7 p.m. and starting at the intersection of Palm and Chorro streets, traveling on Chorro to the city’s center before turning left on Monterey and travel until turning right on Osos, right again on Higuera, and right on Nipomo when it ends at Dana Street. This year’s theme is “Whimsical Wonderland,” and participants have been encouraged to decorate their floats with enchanted forests, swirly trees, and sparkly snowscapes. Expect 80 to 90 floats during the two-hour parade. It’s a rain or shine event, and parking in downtown is free after 6 p.m. that night. Δ
Contact New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 8, 2024.
