Party goods retailer Party City reopened inside more than 700 Staples office supply stores nationwide, including eight in Illinois.
Party City is open at the Staples in the Loop at 111 N. Wabash Ave. Other Illinois locations include Glen Ellyn, Glenview and Shorewood, according to Staples’ website. It plans to bring Party City to more stores by the end of this year, the retailer said in a news release on Thursday.
In 2024, Party City announced it would shut down after filing for bankruptcy the previous year. The New Jersey-based chain previously had more than 20 locations in the Chicago area.
When looking for a partner to revive Party City, “Staples stood out immediately, not only for its national footprint, but for its strong connection to the communities we have both been part of for years,” Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Ad Populum, owner of Party City, said in a news release.
“By bringing Party City into Staples stores, we’re expanding what customers can accomplish in one place — combining helium balloons and party supplies with our print and marketing services,” Marshall Warkentin, president of Staples U.S. Retail, said in a news release.
Party City will return to selling party décor and favors, tableware, gift bags, costume accessories and more, while Staples’ print services will offer banners, yard signs, posters and personalized invitations.
In the coming weeks, customers will be able to schedule balloon pickups through Staples.com and the Staples app.
The growth of e-commerce and pop-up concepts like Spirit Halloween hurt Party City’s business and were factors that led to its closure. Party City was known for selling Halloween costumes and balloons.
