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SALISBURY — Dont cry on the crepe paper or burst the balloons, but the independently owned party and crafts supply store and fixture on South Salisbury Boulevard for almost two decades has closed.

Sheilas Party World in the Waverly Shopping Center went dark permanently last week — minus the soiree it helped customers plan for the last 18 years. The manager of the Waverly property at Sperry Van Ness-Miller Commercial Real Estate in Salisbury was unaware the closing was coming, saying the business owner holds a multi-year lease on the property.

The Salisbury location is not the only store to recently close its doors. An employee at Sheilas Craft Party World in Dover said Delaware stores in Bear, Dover and in the Fairfax Shopping Center in Wilmington also are set to close.

Sheilas owners, Stephen and Deanna Garrett, did not return telephone calls left at the Delaware stores. Brent Miller at Sperry Van Ness said Garrett could continue to lease the 12,000 square-foot space or sub-lease it to a new tenant.

We had no conversation about why they closed, Miller said Friday. It was a huge shock; they have a 10-year plus lease.

Sheilas closes as competition grows in the crafts and party supply market. In the fall, Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby, a national chain that stocks arts and crafts supplies, home accents, picture framing, party supplies and seasonal merchandise, opened a big box store on North Salisbury Boulevard. Several years earlier, national retailer Michaels Arts Crafts also opened on North Salisbury Boulevard.

Three years ago, the Salisbury Sheilas store underwent an expansion, relocating to a larger space in the Waverly center after spending 15 years a few blocks south in the Clairmont Shopping Center. At the time, a store manager said the larger space created more room for storage and gave shoppers better access at an intersection with a traffic signal.

The Salisbury location also dropped the word Craft from its former title, Sheilas Craft Party World, reflecting a primary focus on party favors, occasion costumes and decorations — with fewer crafts. The shortened name also created uniformity among stores, although the Dover store remained a Craft Party World store.

More than 40 years ago, Stephen Garretts mother, Sheila, grew Sheilas Craft Party World from an at-home party decorating business as a way to keep busy while her military member husband was on assignment.

In all, there were a total of five Sheilas stores in Delaware and Salisbury. The first retail store was in the Court Plaza across from the Blue Hen Corp. Center, Baynard said. Eventually, Sheila Garrett relocated the business across the street to the Blue Hen Mall in Dover. The Salisbury store came second.

Miller at Sperry Van Ness said the end-cap space, or corner lot, is a premium spot in the shopping center.

It is a highly desirable space, he said. It has visibility and a pylon sign.

Tags: Shopping