Party City has started the process of closing all United States stores except two locally owned locations in Austin. The party store’s financial issues made it impossible for their doors to stay open to all American partygoers, with the closure announcement on Dec. 21, 2024 following a declaration of bankruptcy in 2023.
The closures are just another instance of many big retailers who experienced financial troubles last year, with stores like Big Lots and Joann Fabrics announcing bankruptcy. However, the Party City locations on Brodie Lane and Research Boulevard that are staying open come as a welcome surprise for Austinites.
“I went there yesterday because I’m hosting a galentine’s [party], and they had a lot of decorations that are just simple,” junior Riley Dishman said. “I also went there for football games because they have face paint and a bunch of stuff where you have to buy huge packs of it.”
Although some students still value Party City’s in-person business model, a rise in online shopping for party decor forced the chain to raise its in-store prices, causing many students to look elsewhere for their supplies.
“I just feel like you could find [party supplies] so much cheaper at places like HEB or Target, or even ordering online,” senior Kasey Trinh said. “Walmart has everything, even Hobby Lobby and Michaels and places like that. They have so many other alternatives.”
Despite having several other party store options, some students will still regret the loss of Party City’s nationwide presence because of the childhood memories and nostalgia the stores held for them.
“My mom used to like to dress me up how she wanted to, but for Halloween, my mom allowed me to pick whatever costume,” senior Lena Nguyen said. “I just remember roaming around Party City, looking at the costumes, finding this butterfly costume and picking it out for myself. Party City gave me individuality growing up, and I’m gonna miss Party City.”
