Headline: Party City Bounces Back in Cherry Hill — Now Living Inside Select Staples Along the I‑295 Corridor
By Ari Williams, 295Times.com — Category: News — Town: Cherry Hill (Camden County)
If you drove past the Route 70/38 shopping strip in Cherry Hill and noticed fewer party balloons and less crepe paper on the shelves after Party City’s recent closures, here’s some local good news: Party City is returning to South Jersey — but in a new, smaller form. The retailer is reopening shop inside select Staples locations, a store‑within‑a‑store setup that matters for shoppers, small event planners, and anyone who makes that short hop off I‑295 for errands.
What’s happening
Party City closed some freestanding stores less than a year ago as part of a retrenchment strategy. Now the brand is testing a footprint-reducing approach: dedicated Party City sections inside existing Staples stores. For Cherry Hill residents and commuters who use I‑295 to get around Camden County and neighboring counties, that means party supplies, balloons, costumes and celebration basics are coming back — often with more convenient parking and a spot along routes you already travel for office, school or home goods.
Why this matters to Cherry Hill and Exit‑based readers
– Convenience for trips off I‑295: Many Staples locations in the Cherry Hill/Route 70 and Route 38 corridors are a short drive from I‑295. For commuters getting off the interstate to run errands, combining office or school supply stops with party shopping is a time-saver.
– Support for local events: Cherry Hill schools, churches, youth teams and small caterers rely on close‑by, affordable party supply sources. A reappearance of Party City merchandise — even inside another store — helps event organizers get balloons, tableware and decorations without driving to larger malls or cross‑county stores.
– Foot traffic for anchors: The Staples + Party City pairing is a development trend in retail real estate: co‑location keeps customers in the shopping center longer, which can benefit neighboring small businesses (coffee shops, diners, print shops). That helps local shopping strips stay viable in a challenging retail climate.
– Jobs and hiring: Even a smaller presence can mean part‑time and seasonal hires. That matters in Cherry Hill where retail shifts often translate to local employment opportunities for teens and others looking for flexible work.
A quick look at the local picture
Google Maps shows a number of Staples stores clustered in and around Cherry Hill’s major retail corridors, places that are a quick turn off I‑295 for many drivers. If you search “Staples Cherry Hill” on Google Maps you’ll see they sit conveniently near Route 70 and Route 38, the two main east–west corridors that feed the township. That proximity is part of why the store‑within‑a‑store model makes sense here.
What the community is saying
Local sentiment — pulled from reviews and neighborhood chatter on platforms like Yelp and the Cherry Hill Patch — suggests residents missed having an easy Party City option. Yelp reviews for the old Party City locations were a mixed bag (as most big bargain party stores are), but many commenters specifically noted how handy the store was for last‑minute needs. Patch and NJ.com previously covered the broader story of Party City’s downsizing and restructuring moves, and local reaction often focused on convenience and the loss of a familiar retailer.
How this fits broader retail and development trends
The retail industry has been experimenting with leaner footprints and cross‑brand partnerships for a while. Big retailers are trying to reduce lease costs and increase sales per square foot by creating micro‑stores or branded shop areas inside larger retailers. For municipalities and planning boards, these kinds of co‑tenancies can keep vacancies down and preserve the viability of shopping centers along major corridors — a small but meaningful win for local economic stability.
Things to keep an eye on
– Exact locations and opening dates: If you’re planning to stop by, double‑check the specific Cherry Hill Staples location on Google Maps or call the store. Some Staples stores are participating in limited pilots while others are not.
– Parking and traffic: Busy weekends (graduation season, prom season, holiday party weekends) could mean fuller lots — especially because the same corridors are busy exits from I‑295. Plan for a few extra minutes if you’re coming off the interstate.
– Small business effects: Local party and craft shops may feel competitive pressure if Party City brings low‑price assortments back into town. At the same time, increased foot traffic could benefit nearby small businesses.
Bottom line
For Cherry Hill residents and anyone whose exit off I‑295 dumps them into the Route 70/38 retail network, Party City’s return inside Staples is practical news. It’s not a big-box comeback — it’s a leaner, more strategic presence designed to be convenient for people who want to solve party problems on the quick run between home, school and work. That kind of convenience matters here: Cherry Hill is a hub for family activities all year long, and having supplies close by helps keep local celebrations rolling.
If you spot a Party City corner inside a Staples near you, tell us which exit you took to get there and how the setup worked — email tips@295times.com or drop a note on our Facebook page. We’ll keep tracking how this retail twist plays out across Camden County and the rest of the 295 corridor.
