DeKalb Party City location to close Nov. 30

DeKALB – Party City, a well-known one-stop-shop for birthday parties and celebration décor, will soon close its doors at its DeKalb location, according to the store manager.

Alvin Cole, manager for Party City, 2350 Sycamore Road, in the DeKalb Market Square shopping plaza between Los Rancheros and Office Max, confirmed the news Tuesday. The store will officially close Nov. 30, Cole said.

“I can’t say anything beyond that we’ll close in November,” Cole said. “We’re one of a few regional locations closing.”

At least one employee at the store said she had been offered a job at another Party City location. The chain has locations in Geneva, Elgin, Rockford and Algonquin.

All store merchandise is 10% to 30% off until the store closes. The corporate office did not return a request for comment.

The closing of the DeKalb location may be a strategic decision rather than an indication that the company’s overall fortunes are declining.

Party City’s parent company, Party City Holdco Inc. (PRTY), reported a 2% increase in year-over-year revenue in 2018, and a 4.3% increase in retail sales. The company reported that it opened 15 new stores in 2018, acquired 58 franchise and independent stores, and closed 10 locations in 2018.

The chain’s headquarters is in Elmsford, New York, with retail locations in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia, the website shows. With more than 900 locations, it is the largest retailer of party supplies in North America, and also operates under the names Toy City and Halloween City.