By: Jen Russon
A new concept, family-run business specializing in tabletop decor, backdrops, and theme accessories has come to Coral Springs.
Crate Your Party takes the guesswork out of special events by renting out theme party packages or individual pieces for entertaining.
The store is forging new territory for caterers and casual party hosts alike, by letting customers rent elaborate packages — which may include a balloon arch, helping to secure food and party favors, or customers can simply rent one or two items to brighten up their event.
Customers have the option of purchasing or renting the items. Everything is also available on their website, with shipping available for purchased items. Whereas out-of-state clientele, who are primarily professional event planners, buy outright.
The available themes cover all kinds of territory – from Disney-themed birthdays to showers, weddings, graduations, and quinceanera bashes.
Round backdrops, tiered cake stands, small and colorful armoires, and circular tables, bearing stretchy coverings that can be changed to suit the theme, are all among the inventory here.
Originally from Peru and Brazil, owners Renzo and Ariadne Garcia, now reside in Coral Springs’ Kensington community, and said their whimsical inventory came from a recent trip to São Paulo.
“At a distance, the tiered cake stands look ceramic, but they’re actually made of a very resistant plastic and can be pulled apart and put back together at different heights,” Ariadne demonstrated.
She loves the cake stands because they can’t break at a kids’ party, no matter how wild things get –- not that they ever do when she has a hand in the planning.
Crate Your Party is on a mission to ensure a smooth and seamless event by providing local customers with delivery, set up and retrieval of items, which may include a large backdrop, banquet dishes, and toy accessories, like Olaf and Anna from Disney’s Frozen.
If they don’t have what you want, the Garcia’s said they could get it for you.
“I really want to help all the moms who live around here find everything they need for their parties in one place. I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t want their party to be a huge success, and that is our ultimate goal here,” said Ariadne.
The 31-year-old mom and former owner of Raw Addiction, a Coral Springs healthy food restaurant, said the idea for renting out party supplies came to her more than a year ago. She had overspent and over-stressed on her daughter’s first birthday party and didn’t feel she had much to show for it beyond a closet packed with spent decorations.
“The cake was the best thing on the table, after all that expense and running around to buy decorations,” she said.
The entrepreneur’s daughter, Alessya, who is now two-and-a-half, runs happily around her parents’ freshly unpacked store. Crate Your Party has just opened; its website launches any day, and soon they will hold the store’s Grand Opening.
After earning her degree in chemistry from Barry University, she said she had never done anything like this before.
“I just love to create new things. I sold a very successful business [Raw Addiction] when I had my daughter. Now it’s time to introduce something new to the community.”
She is hoping Crate Your Party brings people from all over, and said there is nothing better than having a local business that introduces you to families from miles around.
The Garcia’s are looking forward to consulting on many parties, and encouraging relationships with local businesses who can add sweet flavors and extra fun to every party package.
The family said their first and foremost objective is to help people achieve a remarkable party that celebrates, in equal measure, an important milestone in their lives.
Grand Opening
For a chance to win a gift card, sample pastries from a local Brazilian café, or meet partners that make pretty party accessories, visit the store at its Grand Opening on Friday, October 11, at 5:30 p.m.
Crate Your Party is located at 11528 Wiles Road, close to Parkland.