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history of the nut tree

The famed Nut Tree could live again: Vacaville and a Bay Area group are pursuing a deal for a major development that would include saving a bit of the old landmark. By Melissa Jones Bee Correspondent (Published Oct. 6, 2001) Though its namesake closed long ago, the Nut Tree Parkway exit still lures travelers from their business on Interstate 80. But all that remains to be seen of the roadside extravaganza is, well, its shell. For 75 years, the Nut Tree was a favorite stopping-off point between Sacramento and San Francisco, somewhere travelers could refuel and unwind. Adults flocked to the Nut Tree restaurant, dragging their children from gargantuan rocking horses, fun house mirrors and a miniature train that made the complex a semi-amusement park. Shops sold peanut brittle, stuffed animals, exotic plants and cookbooks. Those with a taste for black licorice may remember they used to sell the good stuff, licorice so solid and chewy it was called a tar bar. That ended in 1996, when the Nut Tree closed its doors, undermined by competition from fast-food joints and outlet stores. But it looks like a bit of the Nut Tree could live on under a new proposal by the San Francisco-based Eden Development Group. In March, the group entered into a memorandum of understanding with the city of Vacaville to redevelop 76 acres of the vacant landmark.

The Nut Tree Train Will Run Again!!! back next For many Californians, the Vacaville Nut Tree was the highlight of trips between San Francisco and Sacramento. When the Nut Tree closed, the City purchased the Nut Tree Train. When the property is redeveloped into a resort hotel, golf course, retail shops and entertainment center, the train will again be off and running! A large portion of the Nut Tree will soon have a new owner. The Vacaville City council has agreed to buy 74-acres of the Nut Tree site for $7.5-million. The city will also purchase an adjacent property for $380-thousand. And the owners of the Nut Tree will donate another 38 acres of the site to the city. The Vacaville redevelopment agency will be in charge of the property. The agency hopes to develop stores and entertainment venues at the Nut Tree. Major retail stores are prohibited by the redevelopment agency's master plan. The Nut Tree closed in 1996. It is owned by the Power and Fairchild families who until now had been unable to sell the property.

This is a photograph of the Nut Tree Trane.That took people from the Nut Tree rest stop to the nut tree airport and back.

Squabbles, death help end Nut Tree's presence By Amy Gingerich/Staff Writer, A car motors past the famed Nut Tree restaurant, an old Vacaville landmark along East Monte Vista Ave. Bob Power's death in 1991 signaled the end of an era at the Nut Tree. Founded in 1921 by his parents, Bunny and Helen Power, the restaurant pioneered California cuisine and became a landmark, due in large part to Bob Power's foresight and business acumen. But the Nut Tree's 75-year history crumbled after his death, as poor management and family squabbles took their toll. In 1995, the Nut Tree's problems became public. First the 40-year-old bakery was closed in a cost-saving measure. Then the family tried to open a Nut Tree card room, but that idea failed. A closed sign shouts the reality of the end of an era for not only Vacaville, but every freeway traveler throughout the state and beyond. Buyer after buyer, ranging from entrepreneurs to Solano County itself, lined up to take over, but all the deals fell through. Finally, the family closed the Nut Tree on Jan. 27, 1996, and began seeking a buyer for the property, negotiating through San Francisco-based The Kivelstadt Group. In 1999, the Nut Tree finally started generating genuine interest. For two months in the fall, it was home to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which had been forced out of its Novato home before it could move into its new home in Antioch. The Renaissance Faire is expected to use the Nut Tree again in 2000. Also in 1999, Bruce Portner came looking for a place to showcase his baseball team, the Sacramento Steelheads. He chose Vacaville's Nut Tree as the right location. Portner has since changed the team's name to the Solano Steelheads. The stadium is under construction, and tickets are being sold for the team's inaugural 2000 season.

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The Nut Tree is sold
Squabbles
Famed Nut Tree

The famed Nut Tree could live again: Vacaville and a Bay Area group are pursuing a deal for a major development that would include saving a bit of the old landmark. By Melissa Jones Bee Correspondent (Published Oct. 6, 2001) Though its namesake closed long ago, the Nut Tree Parkway exit still lures travelers from their business on Interstate 80. But all that remains to be seen of the roadside extravaganza is, well, its shell. For 75 years, the Nut Tree was a favorite stopping-off point between Sacramento and San Francisco, somewhere travelers could refuel and unwind. Adults flocked to the Nut Tree restaurant, dragging their children from gargantuan rocking horses, fun house mirrors and a miniature train that made the complex a semi-amusement park. Shops sold peanut brittle, stuffed animals, exotic plants and cookbooks. Those with a taste for black licorice may remember they used to sell the good stuff, licorice so solid and chewy it was called a tar bar. That ended in 1996, when the Nut Tree closed its doors, undermined by competition from fast-food joints and outlet stores. But it looks like a bit of the Nut Tree could live on under a new proposal by the San Francisco-based Eden Development Group. In March, the group entered into a memorandum of understanding with the city of Vacaville to redevelop 76 acres of the vacant landmark.
The Nut Tree Train Will Run Again!!! back next For many Californians, the Vacaville Nut Tree was the highlight of trips between San Francisco and Sacramento. When the Nut Tree closed, the City purchased the Nut Tree Train. When the property is redeveloped into a resort hotel, golf course, retail shops and entertainment center, the train will again be off and running!		A large portion of the Nut Tree will soon have a new owner. The Vacaville City council has agreed to buy 74-acres of the Nut Tree site for $7.5-million. The city will also purchase an adjacent property for $380-thousand. And the owners of the Nut Tree will donate another 38 acres of the site to the city. The Vacaville redevelopment agency will be in charge of the property. The agency hopes to develop stores and entertainment venues at the Nut Tree. Major retail stores are prohibited by the redevelopment agency's master plan. The Nut Tree closed in 1996. It is owned by the Power and Fairchild families who until now had been unable to sell the property.
	This is a photograph of the Nut Tree Trane.That took people from the Nut Tree rest stop to the nut tree airport and back.
	Squabbles, death help end Nut Tree's presence By Amy Gingerich/Staff Writer, A car motors past the famed Nut Tree restaurant, an old Vacaville landmark along East Monte Vista Ave. Bob Power's death in 1991 signaled the end of an era at the Nut Tree. Founded in 1921 by his parents, Bunny and Helen Power, the restaurant pioneered California cuisine and became a landmark, due in large part to Bob Power's foresight and business acumen. But the Nut Tree's 75-year history crumbled after his death, as poor management and family squabbles took their toll. In 1995, the Nut Tree's problems became public. First the 40-year-old bakery was closed in a cost-saving measure. Then the family tried to open a Nut Tree card room, but that idea failed. A closed sign shouts the reality of the end of an era for not only Vacaville, but every freeway traveler throughout the state and beyond. Buyer after buyer, ranging from entrepreneurs to Solano County itself, lined up to take over, but all the deals fell through. Finally, the family closed the Nut Tree on Jan. 27, 1996, and began seeking a buyer for the property, negotiating through San Francisco-based The Kivelstadt Group. In 1999, the Nut Tree finally started generating genuine interest. For two months in the fall, it was home to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which had been forced out of its Novato home before it could move into its new home in Antioch. The Renaissance Faire is expected to use the Nut Tree again in 2000. Also in 1999, Bruce Portner came looking for a place to showcase his baseball team, the Sacramento Steelheads. He chose Vacaville's Nut Tree as the right location. Portner has since changed the team's name to the Solano Steelheads. The stadium is under construction, and tickets are being sold for the team's inaugural 2000 season.