Jim Schnepf and Michael Pratt
“A gay-friendly community without a party store? It’s not normal,” says Jim Schnepf, co-owner of Party Décor & More behind Delaware Distilling Company in Midway. Like many of us, Jim and his partner, Michael Pratt, were devastated when Paper Factory Outlet closed. “Where will I get my balloons!?” (Jim has been known to celebrate young relatives’ birthdays by sending them gigantic boxes full of helium balloons. FYI, UPS will take them. The U.S. Post Office won’t. Just sayin’….)
It took Jim and Mike a long time to finally settle here, and Rehoboth Beach is better for it; not only because of their colorful new store chock full of everything fun, but also because these two guys love living in Rehoboth Beach and love being part of the community.
Jim was born in Baltimore. Just days after graduating from high school he moved to New York City with his partner at the time. They spent seven years enjoying The Big Apple, and then Jim met Mike. That was 35 years ago.
Mike was born and raised in Staten Island, often referred to (mostly by residents) as “the forgotten borough.” He worked in the endoscopy department of the Staten Island Hospital. “I miss it,” says Jim. “I guess what I really mean is that I miss New York City. I miss Broadway, I miss the stores; it really and truly is ‘the city that never sleeps.’” Jim spent much of his time in the banking industry, starting off as a teller, then a head teller and a branch administrative assistant. In between jobs at banks, he loved working at Macy’s. “It’s a great company to work for,” he smiles. “You can spend a whole day in there and not see everything.” Jim’s love for retail was sparked by his time at Macy’s, mainly selling the latest styles to teens just a few years younger than he was.
I’ve written many times that fate has a way of changing our best-laid plans, and the story’s no different here. In 1987 Jim’s father passed away, and the two men moved to Maryland to be with Jim’s mom. He continued to work at banks, and Mike ended up as manager of the radiation oncology department at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore. It was around that time that they fell in love with Rehoboth Beach. So much so, in fact, that they bought a vacation home here.
Jim finally left the banking industry and returned to retail, working as a sales representative for Popular Greetings. He sold their line of all-occasion cards and party goods to retailers in Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. He loved the interaction with the storekeepers, and particularly enjoyed selling the cards to small stores here in the Cape Region.
In the mid-2000s, Mike had a few health problems and they both realized that they wanted–—even needed—the slower pace of the Delaware coast. And thus, the classic progression was set into motion: (1) Buy vacation home. (2) Weekend trips become mandatory. (3) Make Friends. Hate leaving on Sunday nights. Complain to Realtor friend at home. (4) Drive from settlement table to the DMV in Georgetown to get Delaware driver’s license. Of course that progression is made even easier by the Blue Moon bar, the great local restaurants, and in those days, The Renegade. It’s a slippery slope that always ends happily.
In 2010 Jim and Mike bought the Dollars & Sense discount variety store in Long Neck. The previous owner had been a customer of Jim’s, and the store was convenient to their home in Millsboro. So the four-step progression was complete: They were now settled, employed, and in close proximity to Rehoboth. “The store was a great experience and a great way for us to get to know the locals,” says Jim.
But then, the unthinkable: Paper Factory Outlet in Tanger Seaside closed its doors! Suddenly ribbons, bows, gift bags, party favors, and multicolored tissue paper became coveted commodities. The low-level panic was particularly palpable during Christmas, Valentine’s Day and pretty much any wedding—gay or straight. As the full weight of this catastrophe (and the distinct possibility of rationing) became apparent to those of us with gift-wrapping suites in our homes, the lease for Dollars & Sense came up for renewal. The serendipitous convergence of these two states of affairs was not lost on Jim Schnepf and Michael Pratt. On May 23, 2014, Party Décor & More was born. Suddenly all was right with the world.
The men are particularly pleased with the location at the light between Midway Galleria and Delaware Distilling Company in Midway Shopping Center. “We are accessible from the north and the south, and we have tons of parking.”
Their reward for restoring order to the universe is Jim and Mike’s involvement with MCC Rehoboth and their many friends in the community. The parade of happy customers is a sure indication that they are doing something right. “Every day in this store I want to put a smile on somebody’s face.” Why not visit Party Décor & More and get your free smile. 302-645-0220.
Bob Yesbek is a Rehoboth Beach resident. Email Bob Yesbek