Grandpa Vern’s ChristmasTrees

This family run operation symbolizes to me all that is good about Wisconsin. We came here 7 years ago, it was a scary time for us. After a whole lifetime in Chicago, I failed to get tenure there and had to start over in Milwaukee. We didn’t really know anyone in town, and although I’ve traveled all over the world, only Chicago has ever really been home. Maria comes from a big Catholic family in small town Western Michigan, and Christmas is a special time for her. Well thanks to the then strong public teacher union presence, my new job paid a living wage, for the first time we were able to afford a house. That house really became a home after we discovered Grandpa Vern’s seasonal operation and got our first Christmas tree. Since then, we’ve found them every year, every December we get a wonderful fresh tree they’ve grown and brought down from their farm in Northern Wisconsin personally. Our 7 year tradition isn’t yet impressive to them, they’ve been at this for two full generations. Their prices are so much better than what you would get in Chicago, the quality is much better, and they will secure the tree to the roof of your car competently and quickly. They take cash or cheques, no credit cards, the CVS next door has an ATM.