Amidst the flurry of post-Thanksgiving activities synonymous with the onset of the holiday season, a longstanding tradition for some Phoenix locals involves swapping shopping carts for the scent of pine at the Munoz Family Christmas Tree Lot. As FOX 10 Phoenix reported, Josh and Lynnette Stahmann mark their calendar not for Black Friday deals, but for their annual pilgrimage to this festive South Phoenix staple, where they say, "Every year after Thanksgiving, we come and get the tree."
The lot represents not just a place to purchase a holiday centerpiece but a pillar of community support as Lynnette Stahmann explained in the interview with FOX 10 Phoenix, "It's just a small family business, and it's kind of fun to be able to support them", similarly, Chris, a first-time customer drawn by the appeal of local commerce stated, "We like to shop at small and local."
With its roots stretching back to 1985, the Munoz family's endeavor has spanned four decades of service, embodying a deeply woven narrative of resilience and tradition in a changing urban backdrop. "Back in that time, there was not a Christmas tree lot anywhere near South Phoenix," Jimmie Munoz recounted to FOX 10 Phoenix, sharing the origin tale of their family-operated lot which has become as much a fabric of local festivities as the adornments that grace the trees they sell. Addressing the challenges faced, particularly the light rail construction which dampened sales, Jimmie Munoz told Yahoo News, "We had significantly reduced the number of trees that we bought."
However, through economic ebb the Munoz's unyielding commitment to bring yuletide cheer remains unperturbed, their belief in authentic, fragrant fir trees and the joy they bring to families manifest in Jimmie Munoz's words to FOX 10 Phoenix, "Just being a part of that. Being able to have something here that is such a centerpiece, it really does, it fills us with joy to be able to be a part of their family Christmas celebration every year." As the holiday season progresses, the tradition continues with planned visits from Santa Claus, a nod to the lot's ingrained place in the community's festive calendar.
