Business Has Finally Come Home
Make It Special Party Store & Event Planning in Claremore “celebrates life – one balloon at a time.”
By: Carol Beck-Round | Category: Gifts & Decor | Issue: February 2015
Kendel Stocker helps out at her mother’s business, Make It Special Party Store & Event Planning, now located at 618 W 8th Street in Claremore.
After 37 years, Renee Hairston-Wilson has finally found a permanent home for her business in Claremore. Make It Special Party Store & Event Planning, now located at 618 W. 8th St., two blocks north of the J.M. Davis Museum, moved in August to their current building after their lease was up at the previous location.
“This building has a family history that I am very proud of,” says Renee. “My family moved to Claremore in 1978 and purchased the property to start Claremore Rental, where small contractors and homeowners could rent tools for light jobs where it was cost-prohibitive to purchase them.”
After operating the business for seven years, Renee’s parents sold it to relatives who eventually moved Claremore Rental to a different location. After the business moved, a welding company occupied it until a couple of years ago. “We started working about a year ago to remodel and get the building ready to move into.”
While the business has moved, the commitment to making events special has not changed. The company offers balloon designs from simple balloon bouquets to large event designs. “We carry only the best quality balloons on the market,” she says.
Other products and services include gift wrapping, themed gift baskets, gourmet chocolates, basic party supplies, Melissa & Doug toys, puzzles and stuffed plush animals. They also offer custom gift bows from six inches to 16 inches for vehicles.
“We offer delivery, setup and pickup as part of our business, including event planning and design, often utilizing our rental items which include tables, chairs, linens, centerpieces and food service,” she adds. “We’ve done weddings, birthdays and corporate events, but we’re not limited to these event types.” Make It Special also caters to schools for homecomings, class reunions, graduations, proms and dances.
“We’re able to customize balloon designs with our vinyl cutting machine,” she says. “I think that really sets us apart from other companies. If you want something ‘special,’ come to us. Our business has so many choices and can make anything to fit your budget. As a professional certified balloon artist, I have been able to relay that skill to my team.”
Her team includes Renee’s daughter, who also helps out part-time at the store. “Kendel, a certified wedding planner and photographer, is extremely talented in design and is able to offer custom invitations.” In addition, Renee counts on three employees to assist customers. In addition, her mother, Dee Hairston, also pitches in when needed. “I thank God every day for these wonderful ladies,” says Renee.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the way the new building has turned out,” she adds. “Having my business in the same location my parents started their first business, is like we are finally ‘home.’ It feels a little surreal and I wish my dad could be here to be see it. I think he would be pleased.”
Make It Special is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, contact
Make It Special Party Store & Event Planning
618 W. 8th StreetClaremore, OK 74017(918) 343-0600
About Author Carol Beck-Round
After 30 years in public school education, Carol Round retired and moved from Grand Lake to Claremore, Oklahoma in 2005, where she writes a weekly faith-based column which runs in 14 Oklahoma newspapers as well as several national and international publications. Three volumes of her columns have been compiled into collections: A Matter of Faith, Faith Matters and by FAITH alone. She has also written Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God and a companion workbook, The 40-Day Challenge. This past year she has written three children’s books, a series called Nana’s 3 Jars, to teach children about the value of giving, saving and spending money. All of Carol’s books are available through Amazon. In addition to writing her weekly column, authoring books and speaking to women’s groups, she writes for Value News. She also blogs regularly at www.carolaround.com. When she is not writing or speaking, she loves spending time with her three grandchildren, working in her flowerbeds, shooting photos, volunteering at her church or going on mission trips overseas, and hiking. She is also an avid reader and loves working crosswords and trying to solve Sudoku puzzles.
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