Party City Corporation began in 1986 as a party supply store in Hanover, N.J., created to take the hassle out of party planning. It is one of the largest party supply retailers in the United States, with nearly 250 company-owned stores and more than 250 franchise locations. Altogether, the company has approximately 4,500 employees in the United States and Puerto Rico. During Halloween, the company increases its sales force by 50 percent. The company opened its first Party City store in 1994. Party City Corporation became a publicly traded company in 1996. Based in Rockaway, N.J., Party City Corporation has supplies and services for a variety of themes, such as birthdays, anniversaries, baby, bachelorette, sports, Cinco de Mayo, communion-confirmation, Easter, graduation, Passover, weddings and character-themed parties with such characters as Star Wars, Strawberry Shortcake, The Wiggles, Pooh Bear, Spongebob Squarepants, Dora The Explorer, Harry Potter, Barney, Blues Clues and Bob The Builder.