File:The Snowman Archie, Chapel Hill Mall.jpg

Archie The Snowman Archie was a mainstay at Chapel Hill Mall every Christmas season since it opened in 1967. With red eyes flashing, he would be able to tell you what you were wearing or some other bit of personal information. Then after asking what you wanted for Christmas, he would offer a piece of candy from the box on the way out. Archie was the brain child of Richard Buchholzer who in partnership with Forest City Enterprises built Chapel Hill Mall. Every year “The Talking Snowman” would have minor changes in his appearance complements of his builder Ra’ul Umaña. “One year I thought Archie’s eyes should be blue, and he (Buchholzer) quickly instructed me to change them back to the red lights that Archie was designed to have.” When Buchholzer sold Chapel Hill in 2004 the new owners thought it too expensive to rebuild Archie and the tradition was ended, ended until 2012 Christmas season. Through the efforts of many people Archie reappeared in the Lock 3 level of the old O’Neils building. Tommy Uplinger and long time Friend David Burkett were the driving force that brought the magic of Archie the Snowman back. They started several Facebook pages that now has nearly 10,000 fans and Archie lovers.