For the Livaditis family, Christmas isn’t just a season; it’s a family tradition that has been growing for generations. What began with Big John traveling to small farms in search of the very best Christmas trees has become a beloved holiday tradition for families throughout Atlanta.
Jimbo Livaditis grew up learning his dad’s business, so he never had a typical Christmas. He simply figured that was how life was supposed to be. Traveling with Big John, he learned early that finding the best meant going straight to the source. Together, they visited top small tree growers in Canada, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina and Michigan, building relationships and learning how to select the cream of the crop.
As the business grew, Jimbo expanded those relationships to growers in the Pacific Northwest. Today, he and his wife, Leigh Ann, are joined by their three grown children, John, Lucas and Anastasia, each bringing their own talents to the family business.
“Our goal is for every customer to enjoy the Big John’s experience,” says Jimbo. “From helping you choose the perfect tree to the photo opportunities around the lots, we want to make bringing home the centerpiece of your Christmas a magical experience.”
The family especially loves seeing customers return year after year. And for first-time customers, they’re happy to make the process easy. Big John’s will bale and tie the tree to the customer’s car, and they also offer lighting, delivery and installation. When the holidays are over, they can even remove and recycle the tree.
“We try to make it as convenient as possible,” says Jimbo. “We want people to enjoy the experience and let us take care of the details.”
The family’s entrepreneurial roots extend beyond Christmas trees. Jimbo and his family work together at Zesto, the iconic 1949 ice cream concept Big John brought to Atlanta. Christmas trees were originally sold in Zesto parking lots during the holidays to generate additional income. Before long, the menu expanded to include footlongs, Chubby Decker burgers and onion rings.
Today, the family operates the original Zesto locations in East Atlanta and Forest Park. But when the holiday season arrives, their attention turns to Christmas trees and to continuing a family tradition built on quality, service and bringing people together.
For the Livaditis family, Christmas is all about creating memories, welcoming families and carrying a tradition from one generation to the next.