If you need balloons or party supplies, Michaels might just be your new one-stop shop.
For a long time, Party City ruled the balloon and party planning scene. Whether you needed matching paper plates, forks and napkins that were all the same neon green or wanted a giant balloon shaped like a unicorn, Party City was the place to be. But that changed with the retailer announcing in December 2024 that it would be closing all 800 locations. Party City’s absence let the air out of balloon buying, as shoppers scrambled to find a suitable replacement for what was previously a go-to spot.
But there’s no need for balloon enthusiasts to feel deflated. Searches for balloon supplies on the Michaels website are up 150% this year, the retailer reported. To accommodate the swelling demand, Michaels is inflating their number of offerings at their in-store balloon shops.
Your local Michaels can now offer over 300 different kinds of balloons, including new options featuring popular licensed characters. The store will also start offering pre-made balloon bouquets.
In the wake of the Party City closings, there’s also been a gap in the party supply market that Michaels hopes to fill. Michaels.com has seen a 155% increase in searches for party supplies this year, the brand reported.
To help party people celebrate events of all kinds, the craft stores will be increasing their party supply inventory by 200% in August. With 500 new products coming to their sales lineup, the party will be in full swing.
It’s a smart expansion for the stores, which have already become a hot destination for holiday and seasonal décor. Expanding these offerings year-round should help close the gap left by Party City’s closure — even if nothing can replace them in our hearts.
Will Michaels become the new Party City? Only time will tell. Until then, we can’t wait to see the new products — and maybe throw a party or two to celebrate.
Sarah Vincent (she/her) covers the latest and greatest in books and all things pets for Good Housekeeping. She double majored in Creative Writing and Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago, where she sat in the front row for every basketball game. In her spare time, she loves cooking, crafting, studying Japanese, and, of course, reading.
