What came first: America's obsession with Halloween or Party City? Steve Mandell launched Party City in 1986 as a single store in New Jersey. He sold cups, napkins and other supplies for birthday and ...

Steve Mandell launched Party City in 1986 as a single store in New Jersey. Fast forward 39 years and Party City is sweeping away the confetti and turning off the lights. Two bankruptcy proceedings ...

All right. It's time to sweep up the confetti, turn off the lights because Party City, the retail chain that dressed much of America in scary masks and dramatic capes, is closing as soon as this week.

Between the vampire teeth, the giant balloons, the streamers and the glittery napkins, one store laid claim to celebrations across America - Party City. Well, that juggernaut is now bankrupt, turning ...