BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio — After considering staying closed this year due to the pandemic, a local tree farm has put some safety measures in place so they stay open to spread some holiday cheer.
Brian Bartels, one of the operators of Bartels Farm in Hamilton, said he discussed closing his family's Christmas tree farm this year with his parents, who are in their 70s.
"Them getting sick and something bad happening is not worth it," Bartels said. Instead of closing though, he and his family decided on making a few changes.
Now, the farm requires customers to make an appointment online for getting a tree, and they are only taking 10 families per hour to get a tree. With this model though, the Bartels are expecting to lose a bit financially.
"If we do 10 trees an hour, that’s 60 trees (a day), and usually we do 300 trees a day," Bartels said. With an inventory of 2,500 trees, it would take the farm over a month to sell out their inventory.
The financial aspect might not be ideal, but Bartels said it's all about spreading holiday cheer.
"If we can take some stress away from people … that’s what we’re kinda all about," Bartels said. "You’re creating family memories for people that last a lifetime.”
Bartels Farm opens the day after Thanksgiving, and you can find out more about them and make an appointment to pick up a tree here.
