The downtown parking elf returned for the 10th year Saturday.  Richard Skorman and his sidekicks, Sonja Walker and Molly the puppy, keep parking meters fed around the 300 block of North Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs every year during the week before Christmas.

Skorman said he started the tradition after seeing the public get frustrated with parking downtown.

“When I did it the next year and the year after, people just appreciated it,” Skorman said. “So, I said I’m going to keep doing it. It’s really fun.”

Skorman stumbled upon his trademark elf look a decade ago when he shopped a few blocks away at the now-closed Zeezo’s.

“I didn’t want to dress up like Santa as everybody does, and they came up with the elf,” Skorman said. “So, I thought, I’ll be the parking meter elf.”

So, if you visit the area in front of 50-plus-year-old Poor Richard’s — businesses include the bookstore, pizzeria, gift shop and café — between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 14-23, you may spot Skorman or Sonja fending off that dreaded flashing red parking meter light.

“My sister came here for Christmas two years ago from Maine and she said you are so lucky to have Poor Richard’s,”  customer Nancy Reinking said. “She was totally charmed by him and this whole operation. This is my go-to Christmas shop, and now it’s my sister’s in Maine.”

Skorman said he makes sure all the meters have half an hour of credit in them, because the biggest complaint as a small business is customers finding a parking spot.

“It’s really nice to thank people for coming down,” Skorman said. “They can buy anything online these days. So, for us, it’s ‘we appreciate you and we want to make sure you don’t get a ticket.'”

Skorman said the toy store sees 60% of its sales for the entire year in the two weeks before Christmas.

“There’s people that come just for Christmas. They’ll be old customers,” Skorman said. “They’ll say, ‘Gosh, this is so wonderful.’ There’s a nice spirit about it.”

He said it’s also a great way for him to show appreciation to his loyal customers.

Also, all Colorado Springs city-owned parking garages, lots and meters are offering free parking on select days throughout the holiday season.

Skorman said this time of year is greatly important for all small businesses.

“It’s huge for these retail businesses — not just us, but the smaller businesses downtown,” Skorman said. “They really depend on Christmas. We’re all on the same team down here.”