Party Stuff in Alcoa opened more than 20 years ago, but even they are hard pressed to remember times better than these.
"We open at 9:30 tomorrow," says cashier Kim Garner. "I will get here early, we will start blowing up balloons, and we will be non-stop until probably five o'clock."
Customers have always come to Party Stuff from miles away.
"It's the only store in Alcoa, Maryville, the whole area," explains Garner.
Now they come from even farther.
Garner says the recent closing of several Knoxville Party City locations pumped up business in Alcoa.
"We're happy, like we were a year and a half ago, when the economy was better," says Garner.
After a 45 minute drive, and a five minute shopping trip, Jessica Weaver left Party Stuff successful.
"My two little boys, they're turning three and four and we are doing their birthday party tomorrow," says Weaver.
Weaver expected a quick trip from her Corryton home to a much closer Knoxville Party City.
All three Knoxville locations closed in April. Signs on the storefronts say they will reopen under new management but don't give a timeline.
"It was ridiculous and it was very upsetting," says Weaver. "I checked their website, their website didn't say anything about it, I checked locations, it still had Knoxville listed."
She lucked out Friday evening, leaving with dinosaur party plates in tow.
Garner says right now it's tough to keep things in stock.
She says they're averaging more than 100 customers a day-- a 30% increase.
And that's not counting the little ones.
"When you see a little kid come in and they get so excited," says Garner. "They're so happy, that's probably the best."
And Weaver's hoping to add her son's names to the list of satisfied Party Stuff customers.