A party and craft retailer is closing even more stores, and liquidation sales will offer up to 25 percent off.
The closure of four Party City stores comes after a difficult 2023 for the chain, when it closed 30 stores.
The retailer had fallen into dire financial straits, blaming the effects of the pandemic and helium shortages, and eventually filed for bankruptcy in January of that year.
Party City went through a restructuring and bosses managed to pay off about $1 billion of their debts, allowing it to stay in business and retain about 850 stores.
But four of them are closing now: in Topeka, Kansas, Salina, New York, Joplin, Missouri, and Owensboro, Kentucky.
Party City has already closed about 30 of its locations and plans to close more
The Owensboro store, about 100 miles from Louisville, will close its doors for the last time in mid-November, according to the Owensboro Times.
The Salina location, which has been in business for twenty years, is also advertising a 25 percent discount on its liquidation sale, but plans to remain open until January 16, local news reported.
Another party town in Albany, Georgia, recently closed with a 90 percent discount on its final prices, according to WALB.
The Topeka Party City store will close on January 18, 2025.
Party City was successfully expanding before the pandemic and with sales of $2.35 billion in 2019, according to Forbes.
Overnight, their main customers, those hosting or attending parties, had no reason to shop in the store as social distancing was implemented.
When it emerged from lockdowns, it was plagued by supply chain problems, rampant inflation and increased competition.
Other retailers have suffered in the post-pandemic market, including beloved clothing chain Salt Life, which announced Tuesday that it would close its 28 locations in ten states.
Founded in 2003, the Florida-based retailer quickly grew to become a rival to established surf, beach and fishing brands such as Billabong, Hurley, Quicksilver and Rip Curl.
But the retailer was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June and hoped to cut costs and reduce debt to stay in business.
Salt Life, founded in 2003, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June. A company that bought it will close all its stores and operate the brand solely online.
Liquidation sales began at all Salt Life locations, including its flagship store in Jacksonville Beach, on September 20 and promise discounts of up to 40 percent.
Earlier this summer, Bob’s Stores, which sold sports and casual clothing in six states, also closed its 21 stores.
Walmart has closed three more underperforming locations, while Rite Aid is closing another 27 pharmacies.
Dollar stores have also been hit hard, with 99 Cents Only announcing in April that it would close its 371 locations in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.
Likewise, 1,000 Family Dollars and Dollar Trees will close permanently in the coming years.
