From Farmer’s Drive-in Market to Cirian’s Christmas Tree Company

After serving in the Italian Army during World War II, Giuseppe “Joseph” Troia returned home to Carlentini, Italy to tend to his orange orchard. Like many Italians, he fell on hard times following the war and combined with a freeze that destroyed his orchard, he moved with his wife Maria to the United States in…

Patrick Wyman

May 16, 2024

2–3 minutes

4103 Leavenworth, 4911 Leavenworth, christmas, Christmas Trees, Cirian’s Farmers Market, Farmers Drive-in Market, Joseph Troia, Omaha Exploration, Phil Cirian, pumpkin tree

May 16, 2024

Joseph Troia’s Farmers Drive-in Market located at 41st and Leavenworth.

He moved the market to 41st and Leavenworth in 1959. Located at 4103 Leavenworth St, the Farmers Drive-in Market advertised being open 24 hours a day. Using an old birch tree, the self-proclaimed vegetable designer would make a pumpkin tree each fall. He attached pumpkins to its branches to give it character. Joe spent hours designing the pumpkins and used vegetables including peppers, corn, leaves, squash and sweet potatoes to make faces on the pumpkins. His goal was to simply make people smile as they drove past it. He was quoted as saying that there weren’t enough happy people in the world. He was even offered what he says was a ridiculous sum of money for a tree he made for the Children’s Hospital. He declined, instead, preferring to see the smile on children’s faces. Joseph retired in 1979 and passed away in 2003.

The small store located on Cirian’s lot which used to be the home of a service station.

Once known as one of Omaha’s big four Christmas tree markets, it continues to live on after the Cirian family bought it. They moved it to its familiar location across from Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at 4911 Leavenworth in 1982. The sign out front that reads “Christmas Tree Company” is a little misleading. While they do still sell around 1,500 trees each year, it is a seasonal business that is open nine months of the year. They sell plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables starting in the spring which continues until a fresh crop of Christmas trees arrives from Michigan ahead of the holidays. They even flock the trees with the most popular color being white so it appears as though they have snow on them. Even so, they can do just about any color you want. After selling its last tree, they prepare for the spring planting season all over again.

Looking a the plants and flowers available at Cirian’s Farmers Market on Leavenworth.

The family owned business has developed a reputation for being one of the best garden centers not only in midtown but all of Omaha. It has served generations of planters who prefer their vigorous and beautiful plants. While Phil Cirian semi-retired in 2019, the business is operated by his son and grandson.

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Until next time, keep exploring!