Business of the Week: Party Warehouse

So, you’re throwing a Halloween party this year. You’ve got your list: headstones for the front yard, fake eyeballs to float in the punch bowl, a strobe light for the bathroom… now, if only there was a place where you could get all this stuff in one trip.

Oh, wait. There is.

in Palmer Township is one-stop shopping for all things party-oriented. The store, which is found on William Penn Highway, shifts through at least 10 seasonal changes in a year, spanning from New Year’s to Christmas and every holiday in between.

“Graduation and New Year’s are the biggest,” said co-owner Michelle Kephart-Webb. Her and her husband, Bill Webb, have owned the store for nine years, although Party Warehouse has been a Palmer staple since 1983. The Webbs purchased the business in 2002, when it was still located in the strip mall across the street from Friendly’s.

“I always wanted to own my own business,” said Kephart-Webb. “The opportunity presented itself, and we went for it.”

In 2008, the owners moved the store to a free-standing building that formerly housed the Hobby Hangout, its current location across the street from Beverly Palm Jewelers.

Party Warehouse carries a dizzying array of party supplies, from all the normal stuff--balloons, favors, and invitations--to the unique, like masks, event-specific apparel and gag gifts.

Two walls are devoted to Mylar balloons, which come in all different shapes and sizes, as well as a wide range of popular characters--check out the photo gallery, where SpongeBob and Patrick seem to steal the spotlight. 

Right now, not only is the Halloween stuff out, like the zombie-crossing caution tape and blood-splatter wall clings, but fall stock is also on the shelves, including plenty of decorations and centerpieces to prepare for Turkey Day.

Although Party Warehouse isn’t a costume store, they still dedicate a corner to masks, costume kits and accessories--wigs, fake moustaches, and clawed gloves, to name a few.

According to Kephart-Webb, the store’s selection of customized school products are a big seller. It sells window decals, cowbells, banners and more in local school colors. Some products are even emblazoned with school and team names, from Easton to Freedom to Nazareth.

Party Warehouse has another unique feature; it has a Dan’s Camera City kiosk in-store, so that local customers can process photos without having to run down to the Lehigh Street location.

Although Party Warehouse has all the appeal of a big-box store, it’s an independently-run operation. The Webb family resides in Palmer Township, and are members of the (Business, Industrial, and Professional) Association.

“We try to stay active in the community,” said Kephart-Webb.

Party Warehouse is located at 3701 William Penn Highway. The store is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The staff at Party Warehouse will deliver balloons within a 20-mile radius, sometimes even as far as Macungie.