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Is Party City Still Open? 5 Critical Facts You Need To Know About The Retail Giant's Closure And Future

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The definitive answer to "Is Party City still open?" is complex, but the reality is clear: the vast majority of its retail locations are permanently closed as of December 2025. Following a second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in late 2024, the company announced a complete wind-down of its operations, leading to massive liquidation sales and the closure of approximately 700 stores across the United States in early 2025. While the physical retail empire has crumbled, the brand name and its wholesale division have found a new life, promising a potential, albeit different, return to the party supply market. The closure marks the end of an era for the largest party supply retailer in the United States, a company that began in 1986 and became synonymous with holiday decorations, costumes, and celebratory essentials. The financial struggles, which included a previous bankruptcy filing in January 2023, were compounded by supply chain issues, rising debt, and a 2019 helium shortage that severely impacted its core balloon sales business. Here are the five critical facts about the current status of Party City and what comes next for the beloved brand.

5 Critical Facts: The Current Status of Party City (December 2025 Update)

1. All Corporate-Owned Party City Stores Are Closed

The most important fact for customers is that the company, Party City Holdco Inc., officially ceased its retail and wholesale operations. Following the second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in December 2024, the company committed to a full liquidation. Going-out-of-business sales commenced immediately, and store managers were notified that the widespread closures would be complete by the beginning of February 2025. This means that any former Party City location you visit is almost certainly shuttered and the leases are being acquired by other retailers, such as Dollar Tree and Five Below, who were top bidders for the prime real estate locations. The last remaining locations were closed to the public after the final clearance sales concluded.

2. The Nuance: Select Franchise Stores Might Still Be Operating

While the corporate entity PCHI (Party City Holdco Inc.) has liquidated its assets, a small number of Party City locations operate under a franchise model. These independently owned and operated stores may not have been included in the mass liquidation and could potentially remain open. For consumers still hoping to find a Party City, checking the official brand website (if it remains active or directs to a store locator) or calling local numbers is the only way to confirm the status of these few, scattered locations. However, the overall retail footprint of the chain has been entirely wiped out.

3. The Party City Brand IP and Wholesale Assets Were Acquired

The name "Party City" itself and its extensive wholesale division, Amscan, were saved from total oblivion. In a significant move in early 2025, following a robust bidding process, the intellectual property (IP) and related operating intangible assets were acquired by New Amscan PC, LLC for $20 million.
  • Acquiring Entity: New Amscan PC, LLC is an affiliate of Ad Populum, LLC, a Santa Monica-based designer and wholesaler of gifts, home accents, costumes, and collectibles.
  • The Amscan Connection: Amscan, Party City's wholesale manufacturing arm, was a critical part of the business, responsible for designing and supplying many of the products sold in the retail stores. The acquisition of these assets suggests a continuation of the wholesale business.
  • Future Implications: This transaction means the Party City brand has a future, but it will likely be focused on e-commerce, wholesale distribution, or a potential re-launch under a completely new retail model, rather than the old brick-and-mortar chain.

4. The Road to Closure: A Timeline of Financial Distress

The demise of Party City was a long time coming, marked by several key financial and operational challenges that ultimately led to its liquidation. Understanding this timeline is key to grasping the full story behind the closures.
  • Initial Founding: Party City was founded by Steve Mandell in 1986 in East Hanover, New Jersey.
  • The Helium Crisis (2019): A global helium shortage forced the company to close 45 stores, as balloon sales were a critical revenue stream.
  • First Chapter 11 Filing (January 2023): The company filed for bankruptcy the first time to restructure its debt, successfully canceling $1 billion in debt but closing over 80 locations in the process.
  • Second Chapter 11 Filing and Liquidation (December 2024): Unable to recover from financial losses, the company filed for bankruptcy again, this time announcing a complete wind-down and liquidation of all remaining retail operations.
  • Bankruptcy Plan Consummation (September 22, 2025): This date marked the "Effective Date of the Plan," signifying the final legal consummation of the bankruptcy and restructuring process, solidifying the end of the PCHI retail entity.
The company's struggles highlight the difficulty traditional retail chains face in adapting to shifting consumer habits, the rise of e-commerce, and the economic pressures of high debt and supply chain volatility.

5. Where to Shop Now: Party City Alternatives

For consumers left without their go-to source for party supplies, the market has several strong alternatives that have gained market share following the Party City liquidation. These retailers offer a range of products from basic supplies to high-end decorations and specialty items. The search for cheap party supplies and themed decorations now leads to a different set of stores.
  • Big Box Retailers: Walmart and Target have significantly expanded their party supply aisles, offering a wide range of disposable tableware, balloons, and themed decorations, often at competitive prices.
  • Craft and Specialty Stores: Michaels and Hobby Lobby are excellent sources for craft-oriented party supplies, high-quality banners, and custom-made decorations. They cater well to the DIY party planner.
  • Discount Retailers: Dollar Tree and Five Below have become major players for budget party essentials. Dollar Tree, in particular, is a strong source for basic tableware, streamers, and small favors.
  • Online and Wholesale Options: For bulk purchases or specialized themes, websites like Oriental Trading and Amazon offer selection that rivals Party City's former inventory. Additionally, specialized niche retailers like For Your Party and Etsy cater to unique or custom-made items.
The closure of Party City has created a vacuum in the party goods market, but competitors are quickly stepping in to fill the demand for holiday decorations, costumes, and celebration supplies. The convenience of finding these items at big-box stores that people already frequent for groceries and other goods is a major factor in the shift of consumer purchasing habits.

The Future of the Party City Brand

While the retail stores are gone, the Party City brand is not entirely dead. The acquisition of the intellectual property by New Amscan PC, LLC, an affiliate of Ad Populum, suggests a strategic move to leverage the recognized brand name in the wholesale and e-commerce space. The new owners are likely to focus on the following:
  • Wholesale Distribution: Continuing to manufacture and supply party goods to third-party retailers, potentially including the very competitors that benefited from the store closures.
  • E-commerce Relaunch: A future re-launch of the Party City website as a purely online retailer is a strong possibility, allowing the brand to capitalize on its name recognition without the overhead of hundreds of physical stores.
  • Brand Licensing: Licensing the Party City name and characters for use in other products or media.
For now, the era of the massive, physical Party City superstore is over. The answer to "Is Party City still open?" is a resounding "No" for the vast majority of locations, but the brand’s legacy will continue to influence the party supply industry through its wholesale and digital presence. Consumers are advised to look to local discount and big-box stores for their immediate party needs.
Is Party City Still Open? 5 Critical Facts You Need to Know About the Retail Giant's Closure and Future
is party city still open
is party city still open

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