Business Profile: The Little Party Shop, Mohegan Lake
Photo credit: Neal Rentz
Putnam Valley resident Michelle Cavanaugh has been planning parties and selling her handcrafted items for years via the Internet.
But in a break in the usual pattern used for businesses, Cavanaugh decided to open a brick and mortar business after selling her products and services via the World Wide Web.
Cavanaugh, who last week described herself as a “party stylist,” opened The Little Party Shop in Mohegan Lake on October 25.
“I design your party if you come in with ideas,” she explained. “Somebody might come in with an idea or a theme and they don’t know how to implement it or they are looking for ideas or they know exactly what they want but they can’t put it in place, I work within their budget.”
Some of the elements for parties Cavanaugh has offered include dessert tables, candy buffets and centerpieces. Most of the items offered are handmade by Cavanaugh herself, though she does worth with some local vendors, such as jewelers, a florist and photographers. The store is “a one stop shop for unique, personalized party items,” she said.
A wide range of parties can be planned at The Little Party Shop, including bridal and baby showers, wedding receptions, and anniversary and birthday parties, Cavanaugh said. Two of her children’s parties were based on the Disney films “Cars” and “Frozen.” Another party was held at a horse stable, featuring a farm theme and pony rides.
“I started with my own children’s parties,” Cavanaugh said. She later started selling her handcrafted items on line and discussed her family parties she planned. “People liked what I did,” she said. “It took off.”
Some her specialties include animal themed pom-poms that are utilized as centerpieces, garland, and banners. She has sold her items to customers living in various locations nationally and internationally, including Australia, Canada and Singapore. She also rents party items.
Her customers can either pick up their party items or, for an additional fee, have Cavanaugh deliver the items and set up their party.
She opened the store, in part, because her handcrafted items “kind of took over my house,” Cavanaugh said. “I needed space to work.”
Aside from party planning, the new business offers craft making classes for children and adults taught by Cavanaugh and others in such areas as cartooning and painting on ceramics and canvases.
With three young children and her businesses, how does Cavanaugh find the time to meet her responsibilities? “It’s a lot of juggling,” she said.
The Little Party Shop is located at 1851 Route 6 in Mohegan Lake. For more information call 914-715-5739, visit TheLittlePartyShopNY.com or send an e-mail to TheLittlePartyShopNY@gmail.com.
