Marty’s Christmas Trees is back.
A Manteca fixture during the Christmas season since 1954, the familiar business name during the holiday season is at a new location where it continues to retain its enduring family-owned flavor.
Robert Acosta and his family are the new owners of the yuletide tree lot which is located in the parking lot of Metal Tech on the corner of Moffat Boulevard and Powers Avenue. Business has been brisk since the gates opened the day after Thanksgiving. Many of the visitors coming in to make their choices of either Noble, Douglas, Grand or Fraser firs fresh from Oregon are families, with parents and young children in tow.
But if for some reason a customer just can’t be there in person to make the choice, they don’t have to worry. All they have to do is call and a tree with their specifications will be delivered to them. If you do decide to call and place your order, chances are the person you will be talking to is one of the two Yeti characters in full white-feather costume. The pair of friendly Yetis — aka JC Shawver and Tim Nicewonger — who are a big hit among customers, especially the young ones, are new to Marty’s. Shawver is the owner of Metal Tech, and Nicewonger owns the business across the street.
Tree selections range from three feet up to 18 feet. Customers can choose a plain green tree, or they can have them custom flocked. The most popular among the trees is the Noble variety. They are highly favored for their long-lasting capability — they stay fresh and green longer than the other varieties — and their larger branches make them highly desirable because it makes the tree easier and more fun to decorate.
Marty’s is open every day through Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A bit of trivia about Marty’s Christmas Trees: New owner Robert Acosta has more than two decades of experience in custom tree flocking. Before he took ownership of the business, he did the custom flocking at Marty’s for the previous owners. Now, his son Jacob is assisting him in doing this specialty. Several other family members are on hand to lend a hand as well. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Robert Acosta’s wife Tina, their daughter Lacey, son Jacob, and 12-month-old grandson Jose were all there to greet customers with cheery holiday wishes.
History of Marty’s
Christmas Trees
Marty’s has been a part of the Christmas season landscape in Manteca since 1954 when local resident and businessman, Marty Teunissen, first launched the seasonal business. Its first location was at the old Ace Hardware store in downtown Manteca next to German Glas Werks on the corner of Yosemite Avenue and North Main Street. Teunissen later passed on the Christmas tree business to his son, Mike Teunissen.
Through the years, ownership has changed hands. It also moved to other locations in Manteca. At one time, it was located on West Yosemite Avenue near Union Road which is now home to a McDonald’s restaurant. Another time, its business home for a while was the corner of East Lathrop Road and Highway 99 Frontage Road. Mike Teunissen’s niece, Joanna Fonseca, ran Marty’s Christmas Trees there along with husband Richard.
Through all the change of hands and locations, the business remained the same — Marty’s Christmas Trees.
