O Christmas tree
Historic lot facing tough times as it struggles with road construction woes
The future of one of Canada’s longest-running Christmas tree lots is up in the air after being hit hard in recent years by ongoing road construction.
The lot, located at Elbow Drive and 50th Avenue S.W. one block east of McInnis & Holloway funeral home, has seen its sales halved in recent years as people avoid the area because of road construction and detours, says lot organizer Marton Murphy.
“For some reason nearly every year now they’re tearing up Elbow Drive,” says Marton, who has helped organize the lot for the last 46 years of its estimated 60 years of operation.
Murphy says the lot was originally on Elbow Drive and easy to spot, but later moved east. The relocation didn’t affect sales that much; however things changed when many commuters started avoiding Elbow Drive altogether in favour of other routes, he says.
“(After the move), our customers still kept coming, but what has really gave us a tough time is all the road construction,” he says. “Last year, we had to take 100 trees to the dump.”
Funds raised from tree sales have gone to various charities over the years, and most recently have benefited Easter Seals and its Camp Horizon facility.
Many of the lot’s longtime customers like the fact they are helping out a good cause during the Christmas season of giving.
“People come and they say, ‘When I look at a tree, I know that the money goes to help someone who can’t help themselves.’”
For many people, shopping for a Christmas tree at the lot has also become an annual family tradition.
Murphy recalls a few years ago recognizing an elderly gentleman who had been coming to the lot for decades and went over to chat. The customer then introduced his son, who had once accompanied him as a child but was now in his 50s, along with an adult grandson and great grandson — all in attendance to help choose the perfect Christmas tree.
Murphy, who recalls the opening of Crowchild trail the year he joined the lot’s organizing committee, says a veritable who’s who of Calgary business leaders and politicians have also been regular customers over the years.
The lot always opens for business Dec. 1, and many people come right away, knowing it’s better to buy a Christmas tree early and get it home into a water supply than it drying out on the lot.
Many of Murphy’s fellow volunteers are now gone,
“I’m the last one of the original group,” says Murphy, who hopes the lot will carry on its tradition.
“We think it’s a great tree for a great cause. It’s been a part of Christmas in Calgary for a very long time.”