The Party Corner celebrates 20 years of business

Husband and wife Paul and Judy Henninger began printing and selling wedding invitations 20 years ago out of the back of their store in downtown Millsboro.

Although their operation was small and relatively unknown at the time, the couple always found satisfaction helping young brides announce their wedding in a big way.

Two decades later, the couple is just as dedicated to the cause but has found much more to celebrate. Filling their new store - the Party Corner - with everything from colorful party hats to elegant toasting glasses, the business has become the ultimate hub for those seeking to mark special occasions.

Located in one of the oldest standing buildings in Millsboro, the business has long been known as a fun-filled place where expert advice goes hand in hand, said Judy Henninger.

With the first floor stocked wall to wall with supplies for children’s parties, baby showers, bachelorette celebrations and items for just about any other occasion, the store holds much more than the basics for weddings, she said.

“Whatever you are looking for to make a party a little more special, you are going to find here at the store,” said Henninger. “When new customers come here, they can’t believe how much we have to offer.”

For prospective brides and grooms, for example, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Aided by Henninger, an experienced chairwoman for the yearly Millsboro Chamber of Commerce Central Sussex Bridal Show, soon-to-be married couples can tackle wedding preparations with ease.

Supplying invitations, accessories, plastic ware and table coverings, intricate decorations and everything down to plates, knives and forks, the Party Corner takes the worry out of prewedding setup, said Henninger.

Couples are not only given an enormous selection to choose from, but they can also make themselves comfortable in the store’s private wedding section.

Just a hallway away, however, bright balloons of all colors mark the entrance to a cornucopia of other party supplies. The other sections of the first floor are just as expansive as the wedding area, and interesting items of all shapes and sizes stock the many shelves.

Hats, napkins, plates - some of which sport NFL teams and others that tout Disney princesses, cartoon characters and much more - can be found in the store. Large selections of party placemats, cards and posters can also be spotted, said Henninger, but for an understanding of the vast inventory, only a visit in person will do.

The same is true about the business’s recently renovated second floor, she said. The shop has one of the most popular school supply locations in all of Delaware. Still a part of the Party Corner, the Classroom Corner is a must-see destination for teachers throughout the state, she said.

Centered on supplies for kindergarten to middle school classrooms, the store offers the latest in educational resources, toys and necessities. Offering special pencils, pens, posters, flashcards, history and math books and much more, the Classroom Corner allows dedicated teachers to spice up their school setting and supply students with an extra fun atmosphere, she said.

Although the combination of school supplies and wedding and party accoutrement may be a little different, Henninger said she wouldn’t have her store any other way. “Our store is definitely one of a kind, and people remember it well after they visit,” she said. “I think the best part is that when people stop in, they know a heck of a party is going to come out of it.”

The Party Corner is located at 208 Main St. in Millsboro. Call the Party Corner at: 302-934-8119