| The Beccaria family has had
a business on Bay Avenue in Capitola Since 1921.
David's grandfather Joe Beccaria purchased the family
farm in 1921 from Lulu Lodge who was the grand daughter
of Martina Castro who held the original Spanish
Land Grant for the Soquel Rancho. David and his
brothers use to visit Mrs. Lodge at her mansion
behind the family farm. The mansion still stands
today as a museum behind the Capitola Mansion Apartments.
David's grandfather worked the family farm until
his death in 1954.
David's father Frank Beccaria continued working
the family farm and added a produce stand. It
was called Frank's Fruit Stand. During the summer
months there was a Fourth of July Fireworks Stand.
The Fruit Stand was famous for the all you can
drink cold apple cider that was sold there. Urban
growth during the late 60's and 70's, zoning changes,
and economic pressures led to the demise of the
family farm.
In the mid to late 1960's Frank Beccaria, David's
Father, changed careers and entered the real estate
business. He opened Wellington Realtors in 1972
on the site of the original farm. David joined
the firm in 1978 and worked with his father and
brothers until 1987 when he opened his own business.
His brother Chris Beccaria now operates Wellington
Realtors which is in the same building as David's
office. Paintings of the Fruit Stand and the Family
Farmhouse are pasted below. The artist is Sylvia
Beccaria, their mother.
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