For some people, there is no contest when it comes to choosing between a real or artificial tree.
For Gary Rabb, it’s a new adventure.
“The smell of the tree just screams Christmas,” the Bloomin’ Crazy owner said. “It’s that one symbol of Christmas you cannot go without.”
The former horticultural salesman quit his job and decided to venture on his own, opening Bloomin’ Crazy 4 years ago.
“I decided I wanted to do it for myself. After two years of being seasonal, I quit my job and moved into doing this full-time.”
Rabb says selling Christmas trees was a way to continue operations throughout the year, and it helped him expand his business in the community. Having families coming in the door searching for that perfect centrepiece of the holiday season last year helped word spread, and quickly the new business sold out of the tree.
“We decided to keep it small last year since it was our first go during the winter months,” Rabb said. “The response was fantastic. Everyone’s been really supportive, so this year we’ve really prepared ourselves for the holiday rush.”
Rabb believes the small-town atmosphere is a bonus. Getting to know each customer personally makes the job easier. Add that atmosphere around Christmas, Rabb says, and you’ve got smiling customers.
“It’s more fun than the panic many face during the rest of the holiday shopping ordeal.”
He admits the tree choice in his living room was not always what he offered. Quickly switching over to natural, he’s found the changes in Christmas tree growth have changed over the past decade.
“As kids, by the time you went to take out the tree to the curb, half the tree had fallen apart in your home,” Rabb says. “Now, the shorter needle variety seems to hold up better so there is less mess in your home.”
Despite the popularity of a fake Christmas tree, he says real trees are better for the environment, because they are natural, can be replanted to replace those cut down, and are not thrown out when people are done with them.
“We offer fair prices on everything, so we hope to become the new Christmas tree destination for Pelham residents”
With a wide variety in stock, Bloomin’ Crazy looks to help you and your family snag the perfect tree for this holiday season.
For more information visit www.bloomincrazygardencentre.com.
