Posted on 05/16/2020 11:37:07 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Thanks to a viral tweet from her 28-year-old son, a woman who's been out of work is now selling tiny picnic tables for squirrels full-time.
Maria Trezza, 56, is a lunchroom and playground aid at a school in Bolingbrook, Illinois, but hasn't been working since schools closed due to the coronavirus. In less than a week, she has sold 130 squirrel tables just to people in her local area. She's even created a little storefront at her house.
Her son, Dominick Trezza, told BuzzFeed News he's received about 350 direct messages from people around the world wanting to buy one. But right now they're only set up for pickups.
Business is booming so much that during her phone call with BuzzFeed News, Maria said a customer had arrived after driving over an hour on his motorcycle to purchase one. He decided to drive over after seeing the tweet, she said.
The happy customer strapped the squirrel table inside his backpack and rode off.
Maria said the whole idea spiraled out spontaneously after she saw a friend post a photo to Facebook of a picnic table she had purchased for squirrels. She thought to herself, "Oh my god, I want one." Her friend told her they were $20.
"I just got laid off for [a few weeks] at that time so I was, like, no, I can’t afford it," she said.
Maria told her neighbor Rob about how "cute this little table was" and he surprised her by making one for her two days later. (Maria said she brings him baked goods from time to time, so this was his nice gesture back. Apparently, the table took him four hours to make.)
"I decorated it with a little tablecloth and little flowers, and I posted it to Facebook and people were like, 'I want one!'" Maria said. So, she convinced Rob to make a few more to sell to her friends.
During this time, she was texting her son Dominick about her newfound hobby. He found the whole thing hilarious.
"I decided to tweet about it to see if any of my friends would want one and it instantly blew up — I’m not sure how, but it’s been crazy ever since," he said. His tweet has been liked over 105,000 times.
The tables are currently being sold for $20. They are an additional $2 if you want a tiny picnic blanket and bow-wrapped peanuts for your squirrels.
Dominick lives across the country from his mom in the Seattle area, but he's helping her field inquiries. They're also in the process of figuring out how they can get the tables shipped to people who aren't local.
Maria wants to emphasize that she did not come up with this concept. But with the enormous help of neighbor Rob, who is her supplier and sources the wood to construct each tiny table, the two of them are operating an entire business during quarantine.
According to Maria, Rob made 27 tables over the weekend, and customers and strangers on the internet love them.
"Seeing all the positive responses from my post has been really cool to see — and if a tiny little table can make someone laugh or brighten someone’s day up, it's a win in my book," said Dominick.
For Maria, she's still unsure why so many people have taken a strong liking to her tables specifically. Beyond the extra income, the most rewarding aspect has been seeing how happy her customers are.
"I can’t believe how many people have even commented on my son’s tweet. I can’t wrap my brain around. That’s for one," she said. "The people that I have met 10 feet away and talking to them have been unbelievable. They’re friendly. It makes me feel so good during this time, to see them happy. That’s really the biggest thing."
She's also receiving kind notes from people who've stopped by.
"They’re so excited — it’s so funny to see how happy they are to see a little table," Maria said of her customers. "I’ve met some super nice people."
I fully do not get the appeal of those little tables. Apparently a lot of people do, so good for this lady that she zeroed in on something many consider very charming.
I guess it’s like those who enjoy the singing of Ed Sheeran, that redhead British performer.
Even Elton John said he didn’t get why Ed is so popular. He can barely sing, and he’s somewhat homely.
The question is whether birds or squirrels would get to the peanuts first.
It would be easy to tell after the fact. If the table cloth is clean, it would’ve been the squirrels. If there’s **** there, it would’ve been the birds.
LOL!!
We had one of those pet squirrels that would climb up our legs onto an arm to eat peanuts. It was so cute and adorable. Never bit us or anything aggressive. This was at our camper in the woods.
Then one weekend I went to the camper alone, went inside and discovered the drawer where the peanut bag was kept had a hole chewed into it. Further investigation revealed a hole chewed in the belly.
I shot the squirrel which resolved the issue.
I wonder if she’s getting unemployment compensation as well. Can you get it and still make money selling these things? I’m a cynic I guess.
Hey, the article is really about someone displaying the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that Freepers celebrate. And it is THAT spirit which keeps our CAPITALIST country from turning into one that is SOCIALIST/COMMUNIST.
That said, the LAST THING I’d spend $20 on is a squirrel picnic table!
I know someone who would buy a bunch of these for her yard. Esp now. Thanks for the info.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Then she will wonder why she suddenly has so much squirrel Schiff in her yard....
Sometimes Ya can’t win for losing....<: <: <:
The squirrel must have been a democRat.
... the squirrels...
__________________
Ours would chew up the table and the cloth.
They are roof rats.
Hubby has squirrel target days.
I have made several of these for one of my daughters.
She painted them in bright pastel colors with some left over spray paint and attached them to the big oak tree in the front yard.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Squirrels are nothing more than rats with a bushy tail!
Squirrels are rats with a good PR firm!
Our house had 3 walnut trees when we moved in way back when. Had lots of squirrels running around and they were cute/fun to watch.
Until one chewed it’s way into the attic. Mr Crossman got a lotta work on eliminating squirrels attempting to access the attic.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Squirrels are nothing more than rats with a bushy tail!
Squirrels are rats with a good PR firm!
______________________________________________
Destructive and not that tasty.
There is the
Tax Question.
I think a
Miniature
“Jet Sled”
would be a
Hot Seller!
Wow!
Being a suburbs/city boy, I don’t know if they bite or can give diseases :)
We live in an older country club area. Squirrels everywhere. Then hubby feeds the birds which also draws the squirrels. Our dog has a field day chasing them. Lol
‘’I’ve always relied on the kindness of nuts.”
“I’ve always relied on the kindness of strangers”
Looking for a family-friendly way of dropping “I’ve always relied on the nuts of strangers,” but alas, not finding one.
lol
There’s NO family friendly way to say that :)
But it was very funny
We’re all adults here. In age at least.
too many of us guys are about 17 (i’m about 15) in mental age :)
that’s a good thing!!
Besides, a hot woman and/or a hot car can make any man feel like a yoot again!
She can expand and make tables and homes for chipmunks and raccoons....
Well said.
L
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