It’s difficult to tell which is more successful for Party Girls — its catering services or the retail of its merchandise.
“We couldn’t run one without the other,” said Stacie Peters, manager of the storefront, which masks a massive kitchen in back where delectables are cooked up daily.
As it has in years past, the dual-purpose store will come to the rescue this holiday season for many a local household.
Special occasions require special treats, be it a catered meal, hors d’oeuvres or just desserts. Linda Sigg, co-owner, is at the helm at the stove. Daughter Shellie Mueller “still does the cakes,” Sigg said.
Mueller now manages O’Reilly Auto Parts. She and her sister, Kim Rich, started Party Girls in 2006. Rich manages the store’s website from her home in Kansas City and also sells Party Girl items at special events.
The store carries sinfully rich chocolates made by the Sweet Shop that come in delightful designs such as cupcakes and lollipops.
Salsas, dips and sauces make perfect Christmas gifts. Buckin’ Berry is a raspberry chipolte sauce that makes a wedge of cheese come alive. A variety of spice rubs can be used on beef, poultry or fish.
For those who enjoy a mixed drink, Stirrings gourmet cocktail mixers can be made into hundreds of concoctions including Bloody Marys, apple martinis and pomegranate mojitos. A wintry cold night calls for lemon drop mixer to chase those chills away.
Purses and jewelry, accent dishware, wine glasses, fanciful scarves, jewelry and infant to youth clothing occupy most of the showroom.
Purses are the store’s “biggest sellers,” Sigg said. Though higher priced, Mary Frances purses are a draw because they are handmade. “Each is unique,” Sigg said.
Party Girls also carries Big Buddha purses, another high end line sold by such retailers as Nordstrom. Handbags by Nicole Lee suit a smaller budget, Peters said, but are just as trendy. “For the price, you can buy several throughout the year,” she said. And fanciful duffle bags, garment bags and makeup bags help make traveling fun.
In the children’s section, diaper bags no longer have that functional look, but instead have attractive exteriors. “Several women buy them as purses,” Sigg said, noting the bags’ many pockets have great appeal — they’re also ideal to handle a laptop.
During the holiday season, Party Girls is open 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays in addition to regular hoursMondays-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.è»
