Life’s a party at new Hubbard specialty shop

June 29, 2017 at 12:02a.m.

HUBBARD

Sharon Hayes’ new business is completely dependent on inflation.

Hayes opened Busy Bee’z Balloon Boutique, 432 N. Main St., last month.

She specializes in the namesake product – balloons – but also sells collectibles and other party supplies, including customizable gift baskets.

Hayes formerly operated Balloon Express in Brookfield, but closed that store to care for her ailing mother and mother-in-law.

The small storefront in Hubbard, which shares a white clapboard building with Joe’s Barber & Style, allows her to keep overhead costs low.

“We really enjoy being in the community,” Hayes said. “They’ve been very receptive to our little shop.”

For Hayes, the boutique is a family endeavor. Her son is listed as the owner and her four grandchildren – age 5, 7, 13 and 16 – help her set up for parties.

The kids especially enjoy getting creative to design decor for specific themes. The boutique recently created a balloon arrangement for a 1920s-themed “The Great Gatsby” graduation. Clear balloons were affixed to the ceiling with fishing wire to create the appearance of champagne bubbles.

The store also caters to “gender reveal” parties, in which an expectant mother unwraps a box filled with either pink or balloons, depending on the sex of the baby.

Busy Bee’z Balloon Boutique has a Facebook page and hopes to drum up new customers via a porch sale set for July 15.

“Of course, word-of-mouth is your best advertisement,” Hayes said.

Summer is the shop’s busiest season, due to weddings, graduations and barbecues. Customers can order in advance at 330-219-7348 or busybeezballoons@yahoo.com. Deliveries are available.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.