It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the aptly named Missouri city of Festus, where an “iconic” tree farm has just been put on the market for the first time since it began doling out festive cheer to families from near and far back in the 1970s.
Meert Tree Farm, a 150-acre Christmas tree farm, is offering a lucrative year-round business opportunity to savvy buyers eager to take a step beyond decking their own halls and trimming their own tree.
Listed for $2.2 million, the Jefferson County farm has been operating for more than 50 years, providing not only trees during the holiday season, but pumpkins at Halloween and sunflowers during the warmer months.
But for anyone eager to take on stewardship of the historic business, there is one catch: The holiday-focused company will cost you an extra $750,000, which includes the entirety of its impressive inventory.
“It is part of a trust that requires both to be sold together,” said listing agent Kris Barr of Coldwell Banker Realty – Gundaker.
But there is plenty included in that package—which includes a trio of homes, two of which are currently being rented out for added income.
“There is a 5,600-square-foot primary residence on top of the hill with a 16-car garage, along with a farmhouse that is being rented, and a ranch house that is also being rented,” Barr added.
The Meert family has owned the property located about 35 miles southwest of St. Louis since 1980 when Domien and his wife Eileen moved here from Oakville to raise their family of six children.
While Domien died in 2016 and Eileen in 2023, their children and grandchildren still operate the legacy property, which offers a wealth of potential as far as future uses, according to Barr.
“People who have looked at the property have considered operating it as a wedding venue, winery, or landscape business,” she said. “We had a couple looking to take the business to the next level. There is already a loyal customer base, but you could expand it even more.”
From farm festivals with pumpkins and sunflowers to wreath-making classes and holiday shopping, the sprawling property provides year-round family fun.
“They have people wagons that their dad made by hand designed to tour guests throughout the property,” she added. “The views are incredible and the lay of the land is simply beautiful.”
In addition to the three homes and Christmas tree farm, there are also barns found on the property that could be used for livestock. One of the barns is currently being used as retail space, offering an array of festive decor and knickknacks to holiday shoppers.
“The family has had chickens, pigs, and horses over the years,” Barr noted. “What also makes this property so unique is that it also has a small pond and a lot of the crops have sprinklers. One of the barns has two kitchens and a commercial sink, so that could also be expanded on.”
Offering a versatile investment opportunity for the next buyer, the property’s massive acreage also provides the potential for future expansion and development.
“This thriving family-owned Christmas tree farm has been a cherished landmark since the 1970s,” the listing notes. “Beyond its well-established seasonal business, which also includes pumpkins and sunflowers, the property offers immense potential for expansion, land development, or complementary enterprises.”
“It is only 15 minutes to Highway 55,” she added. “Festus is close to Ste. Genevieve, which is wine country and very popular. They are also trying to approve a data center that would bring 1,000 new jobs to town.”
Barr notes the property’s location being on a paved road off a state road is also ideal.
“It’s a very special listing, offering the rare opportunity to own a property with established income and growth potential,” she said.