Beloved Christmas tree lot owner retires after 65 years of serving Santa Barbara community
Anthony’s Christmas Tree Lot in Santa Barbara has been the longest lasting tree lot celebrating 65 years in business, but the owner has decided that this will be his final holiday before he retires.
At the age of 80-years-young, Anthony Dal Bello is still answering phones, placing orders, and running a successful Christmas tree business. Dal Ballo owns Anthony’s Christmas trees, a longtime holiday fixture at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara.
“This is the longest lasting Christmas lot here in Santa Barbara,” said Dal Bello. “We started on Milpas Street in 1954 and I think it’s a great family tradition.”
As the tree lot celebrates 65 years in business, this year is bittersweet.
“I’m 80 years old and it’s time to relax and enjoy so that I can go see my grandchildren in Dubi and in Pacific Palisades,” said Dal Bello.
“He is doing 12 hours a day, 7 days straight and he’s 80 years old,” said Ed Miller, the general manager at Anthony’s Christmas trees. “I don’t know how he does it.”
Ed Miller has been the general manager for Anthony’s Christmas Trees the last 25 years. Next year he will take over as the new owner.
“I am trying to coach him into helping me because as much as I have helped him for the last 25 years there is a lot of things I do not know,” said Miller. “I want to make sure I can provide the services that Anthony has provided the community for 65 years. Those are big shoes to fill.”
Customers travel from all over. People like Suzanne Lopez from Solvang. Anthony’s Tree Lot has been part of her holiday tradition for decades.
“They are always beautiful trees, and I just really enjoy the fact that they always have them in water whereas a lot of other places they just have them throw in a pile and drying out,” said Lopez.
Many customers have made it a family tradition to come and pick out a tree from the man who gives back to the community in such a big way.
“I am so grateful for so many clients that have been with me for so many years,” said Dal Bello. “I never thought when I was 15 years old that I would be doing this for so many years.”
