The Suffolk Jaycees Christmas tree lot – a long-standing holiday tradition in the city –

has operated from the Suffolk Plaza Shopping Center for decades.

This year, bowing to the arrival of a Chick-Fil-A, the club is moving its tree lot behind the Holiday Food Store, 1523 N. Main St.

&uot;Our charity group has been for years where the new Chick-Fil-A is being built,&uot; said Bert Young, president of the Suffolk Jaycees. &uot;We welcome the new growth of Suffolk but are sad to see our traditional location having to be moved.&uot;

More than 450 blue spruce and Fraser firs are being delivered to the new site, located between BB&T Bank and Farm Fresh, on Nov. 27. The lot opens at 5 p.m.

Trees will range in height from height from 5 1/2 to 11 feet, with prices beginning at $40.

&uot;We want to let people know we have moved,&uot; said Burr Henderson, chairman of the tree project.

The tree lot is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, accounting for nearly 90 percent of the group’s annual budget, Henderson said.

&uot;All of the money we raise goes back to local charities and people in need,&uot; Henderson said. &uot;Today, with so many organizations raising money nationally and spreading money around the country, we feel it is vital that our impact remain local. We believe in taking care of our own community.&uot;

Throughout the year, the Suffolk Jaycees make contributions to many local organizations, including the Suffolk Homeless Shelter, the YMCA and several local rescue squads.

Anyone interested in information on the Suffolk Jaycees can go to www.suffolkjaycees.com

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com