Brighton’s Party City Store to Remain Open Despite Nationwide Closures
BRIGHTON, MI – In a surprise twist for local shoppers, the Party City store located in the Brighton Towne Square development at the corner of Challis and Grand River is set to continue its operations for the next couple of months. This news comes as the nationwide chain faces closure in all of its 748 stores across the country.
What’s Happening?
According to CEO Barry Litwin, during a recent announcement to corporate staff, Party City is “winding down its operations.” The decision means that the corporate headquarters in Woodcliffe Lake, New Jersey, closed its doors for the last time on December 20. But wait—there’s some good news for customers in Brighton!
Kayla Fenn, Assistant Manager at the Brighton location, confirmed that the store will remain open at least until the end of February. It’s great news for locals who are still in need of party supplies, balloons, and festive décor.
How’s Business Going?
Despite the looming closure, it seems that party planning in Brighton is thriving! On a recent Saturday, the Brighton store was bustling with customers eager to take advantage of a store-wide sale offering discounts of up to 50% off on various items. Fenn mentioned that they have been doing a “hefty business,” indicating a strong community response to the discounts.
The Bigger Picture
The situation at Party City is reflective of a broader struggle faced by many smaller national chains. With competition heating up from online retail giants like Amazon and mega retailers such as Walmart and Costco, smaller chains find it tough to keep their heads above water. The ongoing fight for customers has put serious pressure on businesses, causing many to rethink their strategies.
Background – A Tough Year for Party City
It’s been a rollercoaster year for Party City, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January of last year. The company cited challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and a critical helium shortage that particularly hurt their balloon sales. In a restructuring effort, Party City was able to erase a significant chunk of its debt—nearly $1 billion of its $1.7 billion debt—by closing about 80 stores with most others still in operation.
Currently, there are 21 Party City stores in Michigan, with the Brighton outlet being the only store in Livingston County and the surrounding area. If you’re in search of another location, the closest options are in Ann Arbor and Novi.
A Word from the CEO
In a heartfelt moment during his announcement, Litwin expressed his regret about the store closures, saying, “That is without question the most difficult message that I’ve ever had to deliver.” He reassured the staff that the efforts to keep the company afloat had been earnest but ultimately insufficient to combat the financial hurdles.
As Brighton residents flock to the local Party City in these last months, it appears that the community’s love for celebrations is still alive and kicking, even amidst uncertain times for the beloved party supply chain. For now, customers can continue planning their events with the knowledge that they can grab their favorite decorations and party goodies, at least through February!
