KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A shortage of helium throughout the country has been deflating sales of party stores throughout the nation including Santa Clarita, according to officials. Within 2019, party stores have announced the closing of several stores due to the shortage.
Helium is not only a gas used for parties, but the element is also essential to many other industries including aerospace and medicine.
Even though there is a shortage on helium, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital is not feeling a strain, according to Patrick Moody, spokesperson for the hospital.
“Henry Mayo is not currently being affected by the shortage,” Moody said.
One of several party stores feeling the effects of the helium shortage is A-1 Party in Santa Clarita.
“There is a shortage of helium, but I still have a good source of getting it,” said Kim Kurowski, the owner of A-1 Party for the last 32 years.
The current shortage is not the first time there has been a lack of helium, Kurowski said.
“Helium is a mined product,” she said.
Helium miners are working to find a new mine to open to harvest a new source of gas, according to officials.
Despite the shortage being temporary, distributors say they don’t expect the prices to return to normal, resulting in the price of helium-filled balloons and refilling tanks to skyrocket, putting a strain on small businesses.
“I can’t see prices going back down,” Kurowski said. “Eighty percent of my sales come from helium. I don’t have the other decorations for sale like the bigger stores do.”
A1-Party is staying open through the shortage, but national chains, such as Party City, are expected to close over 40 locations nationwide, officials said.
The future of the Party City located on Golden Valley Road in Canyon Country is uncertain as the store begins liquidating its stock.
Although the Golden Valley store has been confirmed to be closing in the upcoming months, store employees have not been informed of the exact time frame of when the closure will occur, according to store employees.
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This article makes it seem that party city is closing because of the helium shortage. I am extremely doubtful about that. We don’t need all these helium filled balloons in Santa Clarita. Remember the one that was caught in the powerline and shut down the power in Canyon country?
I agree with Randi. Plus they become plastic trash in the landscape when they are just irresponsibly released into the air. Then they can be ingested bu irds and other wildlife, which kills them. Perhaps this will lead to more responsibility by balloon purchasers.
I agree with Randi. Plus they become plastic trash in the landscape when they are just irresponsibly released into the air. Then they can be ingested bu irds and other wildlife, which kills them. Perhaps this will lead to more responsibility by balloon purchasers.