Party responsibly (and conveniently!) at Party Animal North Fork in Southold opening Friday, 1/10
Party Animal North Fork (Photo credit: Petite North Fork)
So long are the days of traveling west to big box stores on the hunt for party goods, or even worse, ordering them from youknowwhere only to discover a less-than-quality product. On Friday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m., we will welcome our new go-to party store, Party Animal North Fork for its grand opening.
By shopping at Party Animal North Fork, owned by local mothers Amanda Guilano and Kathy Laureano-Cilio, you won’t only be supporting a women-owned business, but also an eco-conscious one all without compromising on quality party and celebration goods.
“We take pride in sourcing the majority of our products from environmentally conscious brands, ensuring that our customers can celebrate responsibly,” Amanda and Kathy shared. “Our collections are designed to offer the perfect blend of creativity, quality, and sustainability for any event.”
Amanda and Kathy at a local Women Entrepreneurial Business (W.E.B) meeting last year and instantly hit it off. Soon, they got to chatting about the need for a party goods store on the North Fork and set their plans in motion.
“It was a need that’s been missing in our community for some time now and going anywhere for party supplies has become highly inconvenient for just about every person on the North Fork. We’ve both been part of so many conversations where folks complain there’s nowhere to go for supplies for their celebrations and, well, we wanted to fill that need,” they said.
Both with careers in interior design, Amanda and Kathy have a passion for entertaining and throwing parties.
“This was a fun opportunity for us to flex our creativity skills for another purpose,” they added.
They’ve got the goods
In addition to the chicest array of paper goods we’ve ever seen, Party Animal will offer high-quality supplies and decor to elevate celebrations of all kinds.
“Our product range includes elegant tableware, stylish options for all occasions, and unique themed birthday decorations tailored for both children's and adults' celebrations,” said Amanda and Kathy. “In addition to birthday supplies, we provide thoughtfully curated decorations for a variety of events, including retirement parties, holidays, baby showers, gender reveals, engagements, weddings, and more.”
Party Animal also has an extensive selection of mylar and latex balloons in various shapes and sizes, some which are even biodegradable. And while Amanda and Kathy are not environmentalists themselves, they too agree that balloons must be enjoyed responsibly.
“We are committed to balloon responsibility and do not support intentional balloon releases in any form. As part of our policy, we will not sell to customers who intend to release balloons. To reinforce this commitment, our store will display balloon etiquette and responsibility guidelines to educate and remind consumers of their role in protecting the environment,” they said.
While balloon orders will mostly be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, Party Animal does suggest that orders of more than a dozen are placed 24+ hours in advance.
“For the best selection, we recommend that customers choose their colors and printed Mylar balloons in person rather than online,” added Amanda and Kathy.
Party Animal will also offer balloon-filling services for customer-provided balloons, with fees varying based on balloon size.
They are also in the process of establishing a delivery program for party supplies, including balloons.
They’re dedicated to sustainability
“Just like with any products we use daily, it is essential that we all take responsibility for disposing of our items properly,” Amanda and Kathy told us. “We owe it to our communities and wildlife to ensure that our celebrations do not negatively impact the environment.”
Party Animal takes pride in sourcing the majority of their products from environmentally conscious brands, ensuring that customers can celebrate responsibly.
“Many conventional party supplies contribute to pollution and waste. However, by choosing eco-conscious brands we can significantly reduce our environmental impact and promote a healthier planet for future generations,” they added. “Supporting eco-friendly businesses also nurtures a culture of sustainability in our community. It drives innovation and encourages responsible practices among suppliers ultimately leading to a wider market shift toward greener alternatives.”
They’re committed to their customers
In addition to what you can find on the shelves at Party Animal, the business will soon offer a selection of products on their website featuring even more sustainable options.
“This expansion will provide our customers with a greater variety of choices, as our small store has limited space for inventory,” explained Amanda and Kathy.
Currently, Party Animal’s operating hours are from 11 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from Noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. But owners are dedicated to helping each customer as much as they can offering early and off-hour pickups [for balloons, etc.] when arranged in advance.
“We understand how challenging it can be to plan, set up, and run errands on the day of an event, and we are committed to accommodating our customer's needs the best we can,” they said.
Another service that Party Animal is in the works on is preselected coordinating party packages for customers who aren’t local but are celebrating on the North Fork.
In addition, they’ve partnered with several local vendors for more extensive party planning.
“We will share these connections with our customers, including options for custom invitations, event planners, and balloon artists, among others.”
Party Animal North Fork is located at 53345 Main Rd., Suite 5-3 in the Feather Hill Village in Southold.