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Queens native goes out on a limb to ensure the inflation Grinch doesn’t steal your holiday tree
Dec
But one New Yorker is going out on a limb to try and ensure the inflation Grinch doesn’t steal Christmas.
This year getting the just right tree maybe something you have to put on your wish list for Santa. The holiday staple is just another thing that’s harder to come by this year.
“If you wait till December 20, you might have a problem,” said Greg Walsh of Greg’s Trees.
For more than three decades Walsh has been spreading holiday joy to New Yorkers. He and his elves transform local parks and beer gardens into vibrant winter wonderscapes, like the one we visited him at in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. He also has multiple stands in Brooklyn, including at Domino Park in Williamsburg, McCarren Park and Greenwood Beer Garden in Park Slope and The Springs in Greenpoint.
He’s the guy many flock to for their perfect tree. Phil Occhiboi, a Lower East Side resident says he came out earlier than usual this year.
“I saw they just got all their trees out and last year I was a little bit late to the game, so I wanted to make sure I could get a nice top choice,” Occhiboi said.
The prices at Greg’s Trees have always been reasonable, but are 10% to 20% more this year due to supply chain issues and rising labor costs.
Walsh says he’s dealing with rising costs on multiple fronts.
“Labor is my biggest expense outside the trees by a lot. The guys do well here. I pay them well. They work very hard. This is a rough gig,” he added.
Those supply and inflationary pressures have translated into higher costs for many tree vendors, both for the real and artificial varieties. Walsh emphasizes he’s been working with suppliers in the U.S. and Canada for full year to ensure ample supply so customers aren’t disappointed. He warns, however it is a different story when it comes to the lights and ornaments.
“All this kind of stuff from China..it’s all backed up and they’ve been raising the price on us all year. Even after the contracts were signed they added 10 percent.”
Despite the challenges, his holiday stands have taken on an even greater meaning this year. In February, Walsh was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It forced him to give up his day job of 18 years as a New York City special education teacher. He’s taking a break from treatment until after the holidays. Instead, focusing on what’s most significant to him.
“The experience is something that’s very, very important to me,” said Walsh. “Ten years ago I decided we weren’t just going to have small stands, we were going to make them bigger and more fun with cutouts and Santa visits, and just to have a little fun doing this. And it’s worked out.”
His resilience shining a light on the true spirit of the holidays.
