nut tree's history

The Nut Tree is born! As a last resort in a terribly bad crop year, Helen & Ed “Bunny” Power set up a small fruit stand on the side of the road under the walnut tree Helen’s grandfather had planted and sold fruit to passers-by.

By its second year, Nut Tree was serving an average of 950 cars per day!

The flower shop opened in the main Nut Tree building.

Nut Tree Restaurant was serving 1,000 meals a day.

Due to its free pineapple appetizer, the Nut Tree grew to be the 3rd largest importer of pineapples from Hawaii.

The train and toy shop were opened.

Don Birrell was hired as Design Director. His ideas would shape the look of Nut Tree from then on.

Nut Tree Airport opened.

Retail Store opened.

Nut Tree Airport recorded 25,000 fly-in passengers.

Grand Opening of the Nut Tree Plaza.

Richard Nixon visited during a campaign stop.

The 72 foot high Nut Tree Tower sign was installed. Each of the six panels was hand crafted and weighed 12 tons.

Coffee Tree opened to accommodate customers looking for a faster meal off the newly built Interstate 80.

Nut Tree celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Its 500 employees dedicated the founders’ tree to Bunny and Helen Power.

The first annual “Great Scarecrow Contest.”

Nut Tree catered the luncheon given by Governor Deukmejian for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the State Capitol.

Unable to compete in the fast paced, consumer and technology driven 1990's, Nut Tree closed its doors, ending an era rich in atmosphere and innovation.

Nut Tree re-opened as a mixed use development, nodding to its past with historical elements while reaching into the future with new shopping and restaurants.

100 years later, Nut Tree continues to grow, offering timeless moments to a whole new generation of visitors to Vacaville.