July 15, 2009

The Nut Tree: A Work In Progress...

I grew up in Napa, but my parents came from Reno…and as a child we drove back and forth to Reno frequently.

One of my favorite memories is that my father would drive the whole 40 minutes from our home in Napa and stop at The Nut Tree in Vacaville and let us run around and get ice cream, wander through shops, and generally wear off energy…but best of all, he told he each time we were “half way there!”

And, ironically, he’d do the same on our return trip from Reno to Napa! As a child it didn’t seem odd to me at all that it was so fast going from Napa to The Nut Tree, but so slow getting from Reno to the same half way point!

Now that I’ve raised my children here I have other happy memories of The Nut Tree, and I continue to make memories with my grandchildren.

The Nut Tree is truly a work in progress. It was re-opened with the idea of little specialty shops and bistro eateries. Instead the economy slumped, and we ended up with a mix of commercial uses—eateries, offices, big stores, and very few little specialties.

But we do have a place where Vacavillians and travelers alike visit continuously! We have Fentons Ice Cream, an old fashioned ice cream parlour. We also have the nice, light alternative in a yogurt eatery. And food? Yum! Amici’s Pizza, and our own—and fabulous!—Villa Corona! And many, many more! And there’s Old Navy, Pet Smart, Sports Chalet, Home Goods, just to name a few…plus a Jelly Belly store!

Soon the old train will be a center part of the complex again, along with the wonderful carousel…easily visible from the freeway, and enticing young and old.

So stop by, take a few, and grab a Peet’s Coffee…then wander over to the train, and circle the area around the carousel…it’s a lovely throw back to “the good old days”!

Posted By: Kathleen Ramos