The secret life of Key Food’s holiday decorations

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

As you've likely noticed, Key Food on Avenue A is officially in full holiday mode, including 24/7 Christmas music  … and this year, we somehow got a peek at how the magic actually happens. Or at least where it's stored.

Key is always one of the more festive stores around, with a surprising number of inflatable characters who look like they've been caffeinated since October. 

Enter manager Richie, who led us into the area where Key keeps its decorations year-round — in repurposed Dole Banana boxes, naturally.

Stacked neatly and labeled with a Sharpie, these humble crates house everything from St. Patrick's Day to Thanksgiving decorations — a full calendar year of festivities packed into fruit boxes.

We also caught an employee in mid-artistry, hand-lettering one of the store's signs. Watching those block letters take shape: part calligraphy, part performance art, all Key Food.

So enjoy the holiday cheer...there's plenty to go around...

P.S. 

We did have permission from the office to take the photos!