RETAIL ROUNDUP -- CATHERINE EBERHARD

Parties of all kinds are always wonderful to attend, but when you’re

throwing your own, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or just a casual

gathering around the pool, it can be a chore to plan and organize. This

week, I set out in search of local businesses that can make your party

planning easier.

The first thing you need to do if you’re having a party is to pick out

invitations. If it is a major event like an engagement party or a bridal

shower, you may want to get professionally printed invitations. Babies ‘n

Bells, a business run by the mother-daughter team of Louise Meyer and

Julie Ducheny, specializes in customized invitations. They’ve been in

business for two years and have displays at several Babies “R” Us stores

throughout Orange County. Although Babies ‘n Bells does a lot of birth

announcements and baby showers, it is not limited to baby events and they

carry a full-color catalog of invitations to suit any occasion.

Once you peruse the catalog and decide on the type of invitation you

want, you can then choose the wording, pick a color of ink or combine

colors to create your own shade, decide on a type style, and finally

place your order. Specialty satin or tulle ribbons can even be

individually tied on each invitation for a festive look. Meyer and

Ducheny will quickly draw up a proof sample of your invitation, which you

can approve or change accordingly before the final order is printed. The

whole process takes about 7-10 days and the end result is a fully

customized invitation.

Ducheny, 38, got the idea to start the business in partnership with

her mother, Meyer, when her second child was born in June of 1999.

Ducheny loves being able to work out of her home so she can be there for

her children. She told me, “The most rewarding part of my business is

helping people celebrate their special moments and creating something

that is unique and meaningful to each customer. Some people include poems

or rhymes and the invitations range from cute and funny to elegant and

beautiful.”

If you’re interested in ordering custom invitations, you can receive a

free color catalog from Babies ‘n Bells by calling (714) 969-2829.

Once you’ve invited all the guests, you can find all your essential

party supplies at Party America, located at 18557 Main Street in the Five

Points shopping center.

Party America has everything from pinatas to streamers to paper plates

in a variety of themes and colors. You can purchase supplies there for a

Harry Potter themed birthday party, a co-workers retirement party, or

even a 70s party complete with a mirrored disco ball to hang from the

ceiling. Inexpensive craft sets for kids contain all you’d need to make

picture frames, beaded necklaces or hair barrettes. There are also plenty

of different party games for older kids and adults.

More information on these and any other party items you may need can

be found by visiting the store or by calling Party America at (714)

841-2999.

Finally, a festive touch can be added to any special occasion with

balloons. Balloon Concepts is owned and run by Huntington Beach resident,

Cathy Edmonson. Balloon Concepts can deliver anything from a simple

balloon bouquet to an elaborate balloon archway, column, or centerpiece

for a party of hundreds. Edmonson is celebrating her 15th year in

business and is a Certified Balloon Artist, having completed courses and

taken tests to receive her certificate. She got the idea to start her own

business while working at Golden West College in the Activities Office.

She found she needed to decorate large spaces inexpensively and balloons

were the perfect solution.

Edmonson continues to work part-time at the community college and she

really enjoys the creative aspect of her work with Balloon Concepts. When

describing her work she told me, “What I love most about my business is

meeting all the different people and making sure they get exactly what

they want within their budget. It’s a really fun job and everyone is

happy to see me. I especially like working around a theme, such as a

Mardi Gras party.”

When she decorates a large party with balloons, Edmonson meets with

her customers at the party site and brings color samples and a photo

album of her previous work. That way, the new customer can get an idea of

all the different designs that can be made with balloons to liven up the

atmosphere of a party or wedding.

If you’d like to learn more about how to use Balloon Concepts for your

next gathering, you can call Edmonson at (714) 843-1808.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to find everything you need for a memorable

party from these local businesses. Don’t forget after all the planning is

done, to relax and enjoy yourself on the day of the big event, you’ve

earned it.* CATHERINE EBERHARD is a Huntington Beach resident and her

column focuses on local businesses. If you have items for Retail Roundup,

e-mail them too7 [email protected] or fax to (714) 965-7174.