Christmas Tree Shops
Encyclopedia
Christmas Tree Shops are a retail chain that started in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts
on Cape Cod
in 1970 as a complex of three small stores; the Front Shop, the Back Shop, and the Barn Shop. The multiple store location, which was located on Route 6A
, explains why the name is Christmas Tree Shops instead of Christmas Tree Shop. The chain's founders were Doreen and Chuck Bilezikian. Since the 1980s, the chain has slowly been expanding beyond Cape Cod. As of May 2011 the company has stores in eighteen states (including all six New England
states), which have made it a multi-million dollar corporation, with large super-stores. Recent expansion for the chain has included stores in the Midwestern states of Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Its newest stores opened in Augusta, Georgia
; Dallas, Texas
; and Greensboro, North Carolina
.
The original stores are seen as a local phenomenon, since it has become a must see destination for many visitors when traveling to Cape Cod. Christmas Tree Shops was acquired by Bed Bath and Beyond in 2003, though the Bilezikians remain involved in the chain's executive operations. The original stores on Route 6A were closed January 2007. It marked the end of an era for many local residents. Some of the earlier Cape Cod locations, such as the store in West Dennis, are far smaller in size than more recently-built stores.
, and Florence, N.J., the latter of which opened in 2008. Prior to being moved to Middleboro, distribution was done from the former Cape Cod Coliseum
, in South Yarmouth. The Middleboro location also serves as the chain's new headquarters.
, or even Old English barn styles (such as the Sagamore, Mass.
, Pembroke, Mass.
and Warwick, R.I.
stores). Some, such as the Lynnfield, Mass.
store, are even more conceptualized; that store is known for its lighthouse and fishing village motif.
Christmas Tree Shops also has several stores in enclosed shopping malls, such as the Holyoke, Mass.
location, which is inside the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside.
Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts
Yarmouth Port is a census-designated place in the town of Yarmouth in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,395 at the 2000 census...
on Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
in 1970 as a complex of three small stores; the Front Shop, the Back Shop, and the Barn Shop. The multiple store location, which was located on Route 6A
Route 6A (Massachusetts)
Route 6A is the name for parts of former U.S. Route 6 on Cape Cod. Most of "6A", as the locals call it, is also known as the Old King's Highway...
, explains why the name is Christmas Tree Shops instead of Christmas Tree Shop. The chain's founders were Doreen and Chuck Bilezikian. Since the 1980s, the chain has slowly been expanding beyond Cape Cod. As of May 2011 the company has stores in eighteen states (including all six New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
states), which have made it a multi-million dollar corporation, with large super-stores. Recent expansion for the chain has included stores in the Midwestern states of Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Its newest stores opened in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
; Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
; and Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
.
The original stores are seen as a local phenomenon, since it has become a must see destination for many visitors when traveling to Cape Cod. Christmas Tree Shops was acquired by Bed Bath and Beyond in 2003, though the Bilezikians remain involved in the chain's executive operations. The original stores on Route 6A were closed January 2007. It marked the end of an era for many local residents. Some of the earlier Cape Cod locations, such as the store in West Dennis, are far smaller in size than more recently-built stores.
Distribution center
The company maintains distribution centers in Middleboro, Mass.Middleborough, Massachusetts
Middleborough is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,117 as of 2008.For geographic and demographic information on the village of Middleborough Center, please see the article Middleborough Center, Massachusetts....
, and Florence, N.J., the latter of which opened in 2008. Prior to being moved to Middleboro, distribution was done from the former Cape Cod Coliseum
Cape Cod Coliseum
The Cape Cod Coliseum was a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena located off of White's Path in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts.-Sports:It was used by Vince McMahon for World Wrestling Entertainment, then known as the World Wrestling Federation...
, in South Yarmouth. The Middleboro location also serves as the chain's new headquarters.
Store concepts
Christmas Tree Shops are bargain stores, selling everything from food to toys to household furnishings to, of course, Christmas decorations. Most stores are typically made to resemble older buildings, in Colonial, VictorianVictorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
, or even Old English barn styles (such as the Sagamore, Mass.
Sagamore, Massachusetts
Sagamore is a census-designated place in the town of Bourne in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,544 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sagamore is located at ....
, Pembroke, Mass.
Pembroke, Massachusetts
Pembroke is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,927 at the 2000 census.The southwestern section of Pembroke is also known as Bryantville...
and Warwick, R.I.
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
stores). Some, such as the Lynnfield, Mass.
Lynnfield, Massachusetts
Lynnfield is a wealthy town in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 11,542.- History :...
store, are even more conceptualized; that store is known for its lighthouse and fishing village motif.
Christmas Tree Shops also has several stores in enclosed shopping malls, such as the Holyoke, Mass.
Holyoke, Massachusetts
Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range of mountains. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 39,880...
location, which is inside the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside.