ALLENDALE, Mich. — A parking spot was hard to come by Sunday afternoon at the Bosch Tree Farm as hundreds were there to cut down their own Christmas tree for the holiday.
"From noon on, it's been pretty steady," said owner Brian Bosch.
It's a very different scene from this time last year. An electrical fire destroyed the barn at the tree farm and much of the equipment inside.
Following the fire, customers like Bryan Bickford remembered coming to survey the damage.
The barn at Bosch's tree farm burned down Nov. 24, 2014. (file)
"You could smell it, that's what we really noticed," said Bryan Bickford, a Grand Rapids resident. "You could smell it wherever you were on the farm."
But now Bosch says his business is back and better than ever. What was burned down in 30 minutes was quickly re-built in time for this year's holiday season.
"We just did the best we could with what we had. We have very faithful customers and they still came out and supported the farm," he said.
And the support appeared obvious in every customer.
"We came out because it's time to get a Christmas tree and we love the farm," Bickford said. "We were out here last year and the people are great, the selection is great."
Amanda Torrey and Evan Zambetis were also among the many who were cutting down their Christmas tree. They, too, remember last year's devastating fire.
"It was sad" Torrey said. "I grew up in Allendale and we own a small business so we know how detrimental it can be. But they seem like they've bounced back so fast and we're so happy to support them every year."
"We are very thankful for the new barn. And agai,n by evidence by the support of the community, there is so much to be thankful for."
For more information on the Bosch Countryview Nursery, visit their website.
