WANT TO PARTY?
After 38-years in the family, Walter’s Party Supplies is for sale.
SYDNEY — The party is coming to an end for one Sydney family.
After 38 years of helping families celebrate every occasion imaginable, Walter’s Party Supplies on Sheriff Avenue in Sydney, is for sale.
“I will miss the people,” said owner Donna Burt. “I’ve met so many wonderful people over the years.”
However she said there’s new things to enjoy and she has two great reasons to retire.
“I have the two most beautiful grandchildren, ages five and one.”
Burt said she always enjoyed the business and the balloons was always her favourite as it usually meant people were celebrating. However some celebrations were more unique than others.
“I’ve had people in buying balloons for their dog’s birthday,” she said. “We also had a woman who would always come in for the foil balloons for her cat’s birthday. She had quite a few cats.”
One woman ordered specialty balloons to announce a surprise on Christmas Day.
“She got Mickey Mouse balloons, they were flying out to Disney on Boxing Day.”
Burt’s father Walter Chapman started what was originally named Walter’s Rentals & Party Supplies 38 years ago in Whitney Pier.
“He wasn’t in Whitney Pier long. They were tearing the building down and he wanted to move the business over in town anyway.”
Chapman purchased the former Ashby Radio building on Sheriff Avenue.
Lots of family members helped with the business throughout the years including her mother Jeanette and her brothers and sisters.
Burt was there from the beginning. She helped out with the store in the Pier and attended what is now Cape Breton University for a year before ending up at the store full time.
About 11 years ago, Burt said her father decided to sell the business but was only getting “tire kickers.”
Burt and her husband Howie Burt decided to buy it and altered the name to Walter’s Party Supplies.
“We changed it a bit but kept my Dad’s name.”
The business sells party supplies for all occasions including major events like graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. They also rent supplies, everything from tables and chairs to wine glasses, chandeliers, card boxes and backdrops.
“Second marriages were always a big thing too,” Burt said.
One memorable couple preparing for their wedding were in their 60s, the woman said she never really had much of a celebration with her first marriage.
“The second one was just as important as the first so they kind of went all out for it.”
Burt said bachelorette parties have grown over the years as have baby showers.
“I remember growing up, baby showers were held in a house but now it seems like they are all held in halls.”
There have been lots of memorable moments for Burt including a man who was renting a gymnasium and didn’t want it to look like a gym.
“He actually ordered 10,000 balloons,” she said, adding he also rented an air pump.
The art of having a loved one wake up to a lawn full of flamingos or skunks was also a big draw for the business.
She remembers a man who ordered flamingos for the late singer Rita MacNeil’s 50th birthday celebration. He rented 220.
She’s had some interesting visitors including Rita MacNeil herself who was looking for New Year’s decorations and cruise ship personnel looking for decorations for a jewelry show.
The business currently employs four people, two full time and two part time and the family is still involved with Burt’s daughter Amanda employed.
Burt said a business bonus is being a member of the rental association and every year the convention is in a different location, this year it’s in California.
“We have gone over the years to places like Las Vegas, Florida, it’s always somewhere warm and nice.”
She said it’s like a trade show, you meet a lot of people in the rental industry.
Burt said she had a stroke in May and while recuperating doctors discovered she was suffering from liver cancer.
“I feel fine, it’s going well.” Burt has listed Walter’s Party Supplies with Century 21 Island Gateway Realty Inc. for $349,900, which includes three rented apartments on the second floor of the building. Burt said they are open to offers and would help the new owner settle into the business.
Burt said she’s working very little and enjoying time with family.
“No one ever knows how many days they do have ahead of them and I’m making sure to enjoy every one of them.”
Burt will have lots of company in her retirement. Although her father sold her the party supply business, she said the past 11 years he continued on with his other business, Basic Tool Rentals on Lewis Drive, Sydney River. Her parents both turn 80 years old this year.
“He has also put his business up for sale and has decided to retire.”