GROVES — Inside the massive Snooper’s Paradise doors leading to more than 36,000 square feet of fine antiques collected from all over the world, a kaleidoscope of color welcomes visitors to a little slice of the North Pole.

There, visitors will see Santa’s Workshop and Jolly Ole’ St. Nick taking center stage while resting in an antique sleigh bed that beckons one to share in the holiday spirit.

Terry Hampton, 61, of Port Arthur, said the family-owned business of which she is vice-president decided to go all out this year with their Christmas decorations.

“We did the Christmas Tree Trail in Groves and we wanted to fix up our entrance. And, we have the props to do it,” she said.

This year marks the first time the store has decorated so extensively.

And, customers’ exclamations of awe when they enter the doors would signify that everybody loves the old world Christmas charm welcoming them to the store.

“They walk in and almost every person stops and says ‘wow,’” Hampton said.

The festive decorations are the handiwork of Byron Broussard of Beaumont and a friend of the store who shares his talent.

“He is really good at color and coordinating things,” she said.

Though the storefront is decorated in an old world theme, there are several modern pieces that prove putting the old and new together provides a festive holiday charm.

Christmas decorations are not limited to the front entryway. They can be found in other parts of the store, where a vast selection twinkling Old World ornaments are for sale throughout the year.

“We’ve been selling Old World Christmas decorations for 22 years,” Hampton said.

Hampton, her husband John, and stepson Scott run the vast store these days, filling it with fine antiques that attract customers from all over the region, including Houston.

Snooper’s Paradise was started in the 1950s by Hampton’s father-in-law John Hampton.

The expansive store has been at the same Groves location at 5509 E. Parkway for the past 37 years after moving from Port Arthur.

Hampton said anyone is welcome to stop by and look at the holiday decorations, whether they are shopping or just browsing.

Store hours are from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

E-mail: sherry.koonce@panews.com

Twitter: skooncePANews