Years ago, Wayne Cole made a promise.
A co-worker at a hospital in West Virginia left Wayne a handful of Coca-Cola collectibles.
“She made me promise that I would never get rid of any of it,” he said.
And he never has. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Over nearly 30 years, Wayne and wife, Ginnie, have grown the collection. They’ve proudly displayed it, packed it away, displayed it again. They’ve carried it from state to state.
The Coca-Cola village came to life again this Christmas in the lobby of Envoy of Williamsburg, where Wayne began as executive director in January.
“We both enjoy it, because the residents enjoy it so much,” Ginnie said. “They know it’s theirs.”
At Thanksgiving, Wayne and Ginnie drove to Alabama, where the display was stored away, with the sole mission of bringing it to Virginia in a 22-foot U-Haul.
The display stretches the length of an entire wall, stopping people in their tracks when they walk into Envoy. Wayne said the construction took three full days.
Under Ginnie’s design, the collectibles form a little town. There’s a bus station, an airport, a diner, skate rink, merry-go-round, church and post office. Houses, cars and people dot the town. They’re all Coca-Cola collectibles except for a few; four buildings Ginnie’s mother used to display on a mantle.
“We’ve always added something to it, every single year,” Ginnie said.
The village has outgrown the Cole’s dining room table where it was first displayed. For the last 20 years, Wayne has made a place for the display at the various nursing homes he’s worked.
“It’s just a celebration,” Wayne said. Residents, employees and visitors alike stop and admire the display. Seeing the looks on their faces brings him joy, Wayne said.
The residents, especially, adore the display. “They guard it,” Ginnie said. They’re proud of it. She’s watched as they tell visitors: “Don’t touch it!”
“It brings back some memories to them,” Wayne said. Seeing the little country store, or other pieces of the town, might transport residents back in time.
The Coca-Cola village will decorate Envoy’s lobby through December’s end, into the first full week of January.
“For as long as I’m here,” Wayne said. “We’ll just keep adding to it.”
Open 24 hours, Envoy of Williamsburg is located at 1235 S. Mt. Vernon Ave.
Bridges can be reached at 757-275-4934.
Visit vagazette.com to see a photo gallery of the display
