Amid the holiday rush for last-minute gifts Sunday, Stephanie Tariga stopped by the Party City on Western Avenue in North Center to pick up decorations for a Christmas Party she and her husband are planning to host for friends. Looking through a collection of Christmas decorations, the Avondale resident said she was drawn in by the news of the company’s closure as well as the large sale that accompanied it. “We heard that there’s probably gonna be a sale since they’re closing, so that’s why we came here,” Tariga said. Indeed, after nearly 40 years, the nation’s largest party supply store chain will be closing its doors in the new year. The company told employees in a Friday meeting that the company would be “winding down” operations beginning immediately, according to CNN. Corporate employees worked their final day Friday while more than 700 stores nationwide are set to close by Feb. 28. It was the second time the party supply chain has filed for bankruptcy in less than two years. The company previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2023, allowing for the elimination of nearly $1 billion in debt. However, the company’s troubles persisted. “The decision was made following exhaustive efforts by the company to find a path forward that would allow continued operations in an immensely challenging environment driven by inflationary pressures on costs and consumer spending, among other factors,” Party City said in a statement. Tariga, an alum of Lane Tech High School right across the street from the store, said she regularly visited the location when she was a student there. The store is one of Chicago’s five locations, according to the company’s website, with dozens of other stores across the suburbs and state. But news of its demise did not come as a surprise to Tariga, who attributed the store’s decline to competition such as Amazon. “I (visited more) when I was in high school … but not much now that I’m older,” Tariga said. “I also go to Amazon more because it is more convenient, just ordering on your phone.” Dalia Marouf was at the North Center store picking up last-minute items for her daughter’s second birthday. She said Party City is her family’s place for balloons and party supplies. With stores closing, it’s currently “up in the air” where they’ll be purchasing their party items now. “It’s sad to see all these big corporations closing down,” Marouf said. Cradling Christmas supplies, Amy Wojak said she decided to stop by the store when she learned about the upcoming closure and the “50% off the entire store” signs stationed outside. Having visited Party City about five times a year, Wojak said she’s not sure where else she’ll be able to get her party essentials. “Where am I gonna go to get balloons?” the North Center resident said. “I guess I’m not doing balloons anymore.” While she will likely turn to Amazon for her party needs, Wojak said the store’s closure will be hard. “It’s going to be missed in the neighborhood,” Wojak said. The Associated Press contributed.