Party Rental Ltd., founded by Michael and the late Sunny Halperin in 1970, began as a secondary line of business to Oprandy’s Liquor Store in Englewood, NJ. The business is an American success story.
At the time, they were a tiny operation and simply rented tables, chairs, and glasses to the store’s customers. Less than two years later they expanded into a garage behind the store with 100 wooden chairs, one full-set style of china, 50 tables, and other party necessities. The business grew so fast that in 1980 they moved in to a 10,000-square-foot facility. From there, they expanded rapidly as they sealed deals in NYC, D.C., the Hamptons, Philadelphia, and Connecticut, eventually relocating to their 350,000-square-foot warehouse in Teterboro, NJ.
Party Rental now carries 85,000 chairs, 950,000 pieces of chinaware, 18,000 tables, a furniture collection, and thousands of other items to help clients bring their event visions to life. The company has a wide variety of products in quantities that can accommodate events of any size, whether it’s an intimate dinner for two or cocktails for 2,000.
Social Life sat down with Alan Gottlich, the executive vice president, to learn about the booming business and glimpse into the world of party rentals.
How do you tailor your services to help clients reach their desired event space?
We ask lots of questions and really listen to our clients’ needs, desires, strengths, and challenges. Whether we’re working with a caterer who needs a linen recommendation, designers who aren’t sure how many glasses to order, or clients who have never planned an event before, we take the time to get to know them and their events so we can identify places where we can help.
What are some of the most popular furniture requests right now?
Our outdoor Somerset Collection was very popular this summer. The resin wicker pieces have three color options for the cushions, and the pieces can be mixed and matched to create custom configurations. Clients appreciated the customization options, and used the collection for cocktail hours, after parties, and casual outdoor lounge spaces. As fall events are being planned for indoors, we’re seeing more and more requests for our Metro Collection of modular leather lounge furniture in white or black; the pieces can be mixed and matched in endless combinations for a custom look.
Are there certain party themes you see a lot of during the summer months?
Rustic chic and farm-to-table events continue to be very popular. Many clients love the natural elegance and focus on local, seasonal, ingredients. We tend to see a lot of red, white, and blue around the summer holidays. In the Hamptons, we see quite a few clambakes throughout the summer. We have perfect rental items to complement every theme.
Do you have any helpful tips for planning a once-in-a-lifetime event?
Assemble a great team of vendors. You’ll want to surround yourself with professionals who understand your vision and who can lend expertise and offer suggestions. Plan ahead, place your orders early, and, most important, have fun! We love to help clients enjoy the entire process.
What’s Party Rental’s secret sauce when it comes to customer service?
We have a great company culture that sets the foundation and tone for everything we do. Our core values — respect, teamwork, innovation, excellence, and safety — drive us every day.
Party Rental Ltd.
www.partyrentalltd.com
201.727.4700
