Unfortunately Christmas Tree Shops News Goes From Bad To Worse
Historically, as you would drive over the Sagamore Bridge onto Cape Cod, the large “windmill” Christmas Tree Shop was always there to greet you. Even if you didn’t stop in, it was a warm welcome. Unfortunately, this Massachusetts landmark is no longer, and now Christmas Tree Shops will be closing all their remaining stores.
“The discount retail chain, which sold various home goods, disclosed in a court filing last week that it defaulted on a $45 million loan and is closing its roughly 70 stores in the coming weeks,” 7 News Boston reported.
In May, Forbes detailed how Christmas Tree Shops filed for bankruptcy.
“The company attributed the bankruptcy to high inflation, recent interest rate hikes and dropping consumer demand for home goods and seasonal decoration,” Forbes explained. However, at that time many of the stores were slated to remain open. However, in just two months the popular New England-based chain ran out of money. Therefore, the decision was made to officially go out of business.
History
Christmas Tree Shops has been a New England retail staple for over 50 years. The first store was opened in Yarmouth Port, MA, in 1970.
As of earlier this year, Massachusetts still had the most stores, with 15 across the state. New York is a close second with 14 shops, followed by New Jersey with 10. Most of the other stores are scattered along the east coast from Maine down to Florida. Then there are two in Indiana and one in Kentucky.
Bad Bath & Beyond (also going out of business), had been the parent company of Christmas Tree Shops until 2020, when they sold it to Handil Holdings.
What Did You Go To Christmas Tree Shops For?
Though Christmas Tree Shops started as a season destination and kept the name, the stores offered a wide range of home décor and creative inspirations. From kitchen and dining, to storage units “CTS” had always offered practical products at an affordable price. In fact, “Don’t You Just Love a Bargain,” was been their most recognizable slogan and jingle.
With Christmas Tree shops now closing all locations, their slogan will perhaps be relevant again. Going out of business sales are expected to occur take place over the next few weeks.
Massachusetts Lighthouse Named One Of The Most Beautiful In The World
What do Porto, Portugal, Crete, Greece, and Scituate, Massachusetts have in common? They all have historic lighthouses. In fact, in Trips To Discover’s recent guide, they named Old Scituate Light, along Massachusetts’ south shore one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world.
The 1800’s
This landmark dates back to the year 1810. “Congress voted to build a lighthouse at the harbor, and the light made of split granite blocks with a house attached and was activated the following year (1811),” Trips To Discover explains. It was the 11th lighthouse in the United States upon completion. It cost $4,000. Shortly after, Captain Simeon Bates, his wife and nine children lived at the house. Bates was the first keep of this lighthouse.
“Because mariners complained that the light could not be seen from far enough away to make proper heading adjustments, the U.S. Government added fifteen feet in height to the tower in 1827, mortaring red brick on top of the granite blocks,” Scituate’s Historical Society explains.
The 1900’s
The town of Scituate acquired the lighthouse from the government in 1916 for $1,000. Fourteen years later, a new lantern room was built at the top. 1994 marked one of the most memorable events in Old Scituate Light’s history as it was relit, making it visible from the sea for the first time in 134 years. Three years prior, it had been relit to be seen on land only.
Present Day
Old Scituate Light is a very popular south shore attraction. Every day people can be seen taking pictures of this lighthouse. Select dates are released each year that detail when it will be open to the public. Walkways along the water’s edge surround it for guests to explore the area. One of this destination’s most notable elements is the attached cottage. That remains a private residence that is the lightkeeper’s cottage.
While many tourists travel to the south shore of Massachusetts for the beaches and boating, stopping by one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world is also a site worth seeing.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
