If you've ever lived in the West Village of Manhattan, you may have heard of Billy Romp and his fascinating story. There have been numerous articles written about him and his family's business of selling Christmas trees on Jane Street since 1988. I've always been curious about the economics of the Christmas tree business and the lives of those who sell them. He turned out to be one of the most interesting individuals I have ever met. He was extremely generous with his time, sharing his experiences and stories from the corner of Jane Street and Eighth Avenue.