ALLANDALE, N.J. — Christmas will be different in Allendale for the first time in almost four decades.
The 75-foot Hemlock outside of the Allendale Bar & Grill has been the focal point of the borough's holiday celebration for almost 40 years.
But much to Allendale Bar & Grill owner Chris Kunisch’s sorrow, the 79-year-old tree's time came Tuesday.
“If we didn’t take it down, Mother Nature would have,” said Kunisch, who runs his eatery in the same restaurant his great-grandmother grew up in.
“It really pained us to take it down but it was so old and dead.”
Another tree will take its place in time for Christmas, though it “certainly won’t be as high,” Kunisch said.
“It’s sad to see the tree go,” the owner said. “God willing, we will do something else outside."
He's planning for outdoor dining.
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