Official Announcement:
BALLOONS, ETC. IS CLOSING!
Since it’s origination in 1987, we have been creating amazing things here at Balloons, Etc. It has been a pleasure assisting you in enhancing so many of your events; Weddings, Holiday Parties, Banquets, and Casual Get-togethers.
The constant re-orders of Candy Bouquets, Balloon Bouquets, Floral Arrangements, and Gift Baskets showed me that Balloons, Etc.
was a great concept!!!
Now it is time for new beginnings for me, but I take with me so many wonderful memories, and during the past 25 years, I have gotten to know hundreds of customers; many have become friends. It has been a great, wild ride! I am so grateful for all of you, and I appreciate all of your wonderful well-wishes!
Keep the artistic spirit within you ~ I know that I will!
Vicky Thompson
Balloons, Etc. Inc.
Published December 27, 2011, 11:30 PM
Longtime Fargo business Balloons, Etc. to close in January
FARGO – Vicky Thompson is letting go of Balloons, Etc.
But, after a quarter-century of making parties brighter and unhappy moments easier to bear, it won’t be easy.
By: Dave Olson, INFORUM
FARGO – Vicky Thompson is letting go of Balloons, Etc.
But, after a quarter-century of making parties brighter and unhappy moments easier to bear, it won’t be easy.
“It’s very, very bittersweet,” said Thompson.
“It’s a good feeling, but it’s also a where-do-I-go-from-here feeling,” added Thompson, who plans to close her business at the end of January.
Between now and then, she aims to clear out inventory with a progressive sale that starts the first week of January.
Prices will be marked down by 5 percent nearly every day, and by Jan. 27, last day of the sale, items will be 95 percent off.
Thompson said she will miss the job and her clients, many of whom have become friends.
Sharon Tranby, who lives in Moorhead and works as an elementary school teacher in Fargo, counts herself among them.
Tranby began shopping at Balloons, Etc. shortly after Thompson opened a store in Moorhead in 1987.
Thompson provided Tranby with pointers on how to decorate her classroom, and it worked out so well Tranby returned whenever she had a birthday party to throw, or a special day that needed acknowledging.
“She’s incredibly creative,” Tranby said. “She always had that extra-special touch. That’s why I used her a lot.”
Thompson said customer expectations are one reason she is closing her store, now located on University Drive in Fargo, instead of selling the business.
She prefers shuttering the place rather than run the risk that customers will be disappointed by a change in standards.
Other factors, she said, include unexpected challenges in her personal life and difficulties finding employees to fill key jobs.
“My assistant, who runs the floral department, is due to have a baby in February, right before our biggest holiday,” Thompson said.
“I’ve been advertising her position for six months and I can’t get a single applicant. I’m already putting in 55 to 65 hours a week; I can’t take on everything,” she said.
Thompson said she feels good about the jobs she has provided over the years, estimating the total employee count at about 90.
“I’ve put a lot of people through college,” she said.
While Thompson has decided it’s time for a change, she’s less clear on what comes next.
She hopes her passion for photography will play a role, as well as the three lines of greeting cards she has designed.
“I’d like to expand those,” she said.
Balloons, Etc. was established in 1987, starting as a retail balloon and gift shop, with delivery service and decorating services available to the Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN area. This idea has expanded to include many new avenues in the “Etc.” category, a professional decorating service that covers an hour radius of the F-M Area and a Nation-wide Shipping Service of some of our products for our clients.
Hi, I’m Vicky Thompson, owner and General Manager of Balloons, Etc. In August of 2008, Balloons, Etc. purchased the former Three Keys Floral, a prominent business in the Fargo-Moorhead area since 1976. As we expanded our customer base, we continue to operate out of our current location, and are offering even more products and services. Our goal is to service our clients in an even better capacity than we have in the past.
If you’re tired of sending the same old gifts…
Make someone’s special day with a
Creative Candy Bouquet!
These “edible” arrangements are fun and unique gifts!
Our most popular creation!
We accept all major credit cards, you may stop in and personally visit, or
call us locally at (701) 280-1986 or Toll-Free at (877) 280-1986 to place your order to be delivered or shipped.
~ We are conveniently located in the Southside Shopping Center ~
1529 South University Drive - Fargo ND
We ask that you place your order with us over the phone rather than online because we like to create each arrangement with the individual attention that each client deserves. The person receiving a bouquet from us will know that it was made just for them.
Delivery is available within the Fargo-Moorhead area, with shipping available nationwide from Monday through Saturday. We are closed on Sundays.
Our shop will always be closed on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
Member: QUALATEX BALLOON NETWORK
