Every Day Is A Celebration At Party City

By Dylan Roche

No matter what you’re celebrating – whether it’s Halloween, a birthday, a baby shower or just the big football game on TV – there’s a place where you can find all the supplies you need to make your social gathering a success: Party City.

Heather Esterling, general manager of Party City in the Pasadena Crossroads shopping center, has been with the franchise location since it opened 23 years ago. Back then, Esterling was only a teenager looking for a part-time job. She helped the owners, John and Holly Cole, set up the store. She began as a keyholder, quickly advancing from part-time to full-time; within her first few years with Party City, she became general manager.

The Coles, who live in Hunt Valley, depend on Esterling to primarily run the operations of the costume and party-supply retail store. Under Esterling’s management, Party City has flourished. In 2001, the store moved from its original location to its current one, making the stride from a 6,900-square-foot space to a 14,400-square-foot one. It has also firmly established itself as the community’s go-to place for celebratory novelties.

“We’re definitely a unique store,” said Esterling. “When a lot of people think of us, they think Halloween. But people also recognize us for products outside of Halloween: Ravens parties, baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays. You can’t go anywhere else and find everything we have inside our doors. It isn’t in any other place.”

Party City carries a full line of paper and plastic tableware in every color, as well as balloons, stationery and other favors. The store has an extensive costume section, as well as a birthday party section divided by popular themes. For people hosting sports-viewing parties this season, Party City carries decor featuring not only local Ravens and Orioles logos, but also Steelers, Cowboys, Yankees and Red Sox.

Shoppers at Party City can always expect an amiable team of workers who enjoy what they do. “One of the perks of my job is that I have made some good friendships from Party City,” Esterling noted. “I’m lucky that I like what I do and who I work with. My husband always laughs about how Party City is my home away from home.”

Having grown up in Pasadena, Esterling cares about the community and strives to make party planning a positive experience. “I do what I can to make everyone happy,” she said. “It isn’t easy to plan a party, wedding or shower. We do what we can to help everyone who comes into our store get through that stressful part.”

Customers have responded to Party City’s excellent service with loyalty. Esterling recognizes many familiar faces, including some regulars who grew up buying costumes from the store and now return with their own children. In years to come, Esterling predicts Party City will continue to grow, providing its exceptional inventory and first-rate service to shoppers.

Party City is located at 8044A Ritchie Highway in the Pasadena Crossroads shopping center. Customers can call the store at 410-590-6470 or like the store’s Facebook page by searching “Party City Pasadena Crossroads.”