CHRISTMAS TREES STILL SEEING STRONG BUSINESS
Family owned lots have plenty of trees in stock still available before Christmas
With a high demand for Christmas trees in this pandemic-infused year, many outlets are reporting a national shortage. Many big-box stores began offering them a week before the start of the Christmas season, and now it is not uncommon to find them in short supply or completely sold out. However, the smaller businesses in Vacaville appear to be faring much better. As of Friday, both Lamb’s Christmas Trees and Sweet Pea’s Boutique had a steady supply of trees.
Derek Lamb, the part-owner of Lamb’s, said business has been strong so far, especially upon opening right after Thanksgiving.
“It was busier earlier than it normally is,” he said.
Lamb’s was founded in 1985 with a few lots by James and Jay Lamb. Jay branched out — so to speak — to grow the trees with his family, while Jay continued to operate the lots with his wife and sons, including Derek.
The primary Lamb’s lot is located at 5790 Rivera Road, next to Ranchotel. Derek Lamb said the business has been operating out of the same spot for the last 25 years, although it was initially located near the old glider port in Lagoon Valley.
“It’s been a family business the entire time,” he said.
As always, Lamb’s sells noble, Douglas, and grand firs, all of which are grown in Sublimity, Oregon. The lot also sells wreaths, centerpieces, and stands and does custom flocking for any customer that requests it.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Lamb said adhering to guidelines has been easy. Signs are posted encouraging people to wear face coverings and stay 6 feet apart, masks are provided to those who arrive without them and hand sanitizer is available on tables at the front and at checkout.
“The majority of people who come in wear their masks and maintain social distancing,” he said. “Everybody’s been pretty cognizant of it and doing their part.”
“Since it’s an outdoor venue, it’s not as stringent as if we were indoors,” he said.
Sweet Pea’s also has been doing quite well, according to Manager Delaney Holden. She said the shop received its trees the day after Thanksgiving and has had strong sales since.
“We’ve got a lot of regulars that come every year, and it’s been fun to see the familiar faces come back each year and buy Christmas trees,” she said.
Sweet Pea’s sees large noble trees that were cut in Oregon as well as a variety of potted trees, wreaths, and stands. By popular demand, Holden said the shop is also selling live Christmas trees which can be replanted after use. Since Sweet Pea’s operates as a nursery and pet supply store year-round, Holden said the pandemic has made for a different year overall. The store has tried to comply with the state guidelines and keeping customers outside. This, she said, has allowed Sweet Pea’s to partner with different nurseries and start selling new products.
“Sweet Pea’s garden has actually never been so big before,” she said. “This year, there’s been a huge expansion in the garden, and the community loved it. People were shopping in the garden every day.”
Holden said that flocked trees were available by request.
“We take your tree for you, we put a fresh cut on it, we load it up for you, even flock Christmas trees,” she said. “We try to make sure our customer satisfaction is our No. 1 priority and making sure everybody is satisfied with what they have.”
Lamb also said that customer service and quality were also what set Lamb’s Christmas Trees apart from big-box retailers. He also reiterated that supplies are not as limited as other places that sell trees.
“We’re able to maintain an inventory that gives people a pretty vast selection of trees,” he said.
In a year as tumultuous as 2020, Lamb said buying a tree provides a bit of normalcy.
“It gives something for people to take their mind off things, even if it’s just a couple of hours to pick one out,” he said.
Holden said Christmas trees can symbolize happiness.
“This is the one thing that’s somewhat normal is people can come and pick their tree out as a family and take it home and decorate it,” she said. “It makes it feel a little bit like life is normal again.”
Sweet Pea’s is located at 891 Alamo Drive and open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Lamb’s is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.