Christmas is less than two weeks away, and those still needing a tree can simultaneously purchase the decoration and donate to the families of the fallen Lakewood officers.
Local Boys tree lot, located in The Commons mall parking lot, will sell holiday trees through Christmas Eve. For every sold tree over 6 feet tall, excluding advertised deals, the family-owned company will donate $5 to the families of the four recently fallen Lakewood officers: Greg Richards, Mark Renninger, Tina Griswold and Ronald Owens.
The lot, and the tree farm from which the trees are harvested, is owned by Robert Jones and family. Son and company vice president Trevor Jones operates the Federal Way location.
“We just thought it would be a good thing to do,” Jones said about the fundraising effort. “It’s the least we can do.”
The promotion began Wednesday and will continue until the lot closes. As of Thursday, roughly $125 had been raised, Jones said. This weekend and next are expected to be the busiest days for business, he said.
Despite the hard economic times, customers are still willing to spend money on a great Christmas tree, he said. Since opening for the season on Nov. 20, the Federal Way tree lot has sold between 3,700 and 4,000 trees, he said. On Dec. 5, the lot sold 212 trees, Jones said.
“It gets nuts here on the weekends,” Jones said.
Local Boys has a long-standing presence in Federal Way. Not much will change this year from last. Other tree lots are selling their goods for lower prices, due to the economy. But Local Boys is not following the trend.
Jones maintains the lot’s prices are reasonable. The trees are grown on the family’s tree farm. They are groomed and maintained and take years to produce. A nice, groomed noble fir takes seven to 10 years to grow, Jones said.
“In order to bring the price down significantly, you have to decrease the quality,” he said. “People come back (to Local Boys) for that same quality.”
Local Boys has brought in 4 to 8-foot Douglas Fir Plantation trees to cater to those who wish to spend less on a tree. They are selling at $19.99. The remainder of the trees vary in price, maxing out at $15 a foot for high altitude noble firs up to 16-feet tall.
“Most people aren’t going all out on gifts, but they are buying that tree,” Jones said.
CHRISTMAS TREES
Here are more Federal Way locations where Christmas trees can be purchased:
• Federal Way National Little League ball field, 450 S.W. Campus Drive. Visit http://www.eteamz.com/fwnll to print a $5 off coupon for a tree. The coupon is good through Dec. 23.
• Oriental Garden Center, 30650 Pacific Highway S.
• The parking lot of the now vacant Albertson’s building, 33620 21st Ave S.W.
