‘Tis the 72nd season for Big John’s Christmas Trees, this year operating a Buckhead lot not far from where the business began in 1949.
“Big John” Livaditis ran a restaurant called Zesto back in those days on Peachtree Road near what is now Amtrak’s Peachtree Station. An off-season offer to host Christmas tree sales in the parking lot turned into a family business that is still going strong three generations later, with multiple lots operating from mid-November to mid-December around the north metro area.
Besides trees of various species and sizes, the lots also sell wreaths, garlands, lights and other decorations and accessories.
In recent years, the mother lot in Buckhead operated on Piedmont Road near Lindbergh Center. But this year it moved to 1874 Peachtree in the parking lot of the former Ted’s Montana Grill and Uncle Julio’s restaurants. The property is owned by the Shepherd Center rehabilitation hospital, which has long-term plans to build a residential tower there.
With Christmas 10 days away, some Big John’s lots have already closed, while the others will shut down this week. The Buckhead lot is open through Dec. 18. Others still open for part of this week include sites at Ansley Mall and in Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Vinings.
For more information, see bigjohnstrees.com.
The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead points forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy.
We are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, and we are discerning. We are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction. Forward.
