The Party Never Stops

The Woodworm at 827 Bay Ave. in Capitola has been owned by David and Cherie Robideaux and her family since 1973. Woodworm is stocked with holiday, party and wedding decorations for local merry-makers.

On Saturday, the party-suppliers were party-givers in celebration of their 38th anniversary and remodel.

KDON radio deejays raffled Chardonnay cruises and Kirkwood ski passes. Kids frolicked in the bounce house and decorated their own cupcakes. The smell of tri-tip sandwiches and hot dogs on the grill permeated the air.

“This store's best feature is the personalized service,” declared Linda Amaral, a 30-year customer, in line to pay for her latest finds. “There doesn't exist an event they can't cover. Whatever I'm looking for they have.”

Terry and Mae Smith of Pleasure Point arrived with their son, who saw the balloons and bounce house and insisted they stop.

“We come here for birthday stuff,” said Terry Smith. “It's all good. A great resource.”

Woodworm Party Store sells supplies for children's character parties as well as sports, casino and luau-themed parties. There are at least 80 colors of balloons. Cherie said piñatas, which come in many shapes and sizes, sell briskly.

“March Madness,” part of the remodel and anniversary celebration, is a month-long, 20 percent-off sale on children's tableware.

Prior to Saturday's event, Cherie, proud owner of the business her parents started 3 1/2 decades ago, discussed the remodel.

“The racks were lowered so customers can easily see the whole store,” she said. “Everything is more open, and the aisles are wider. We needed new carpet after all this time. The remodel will be finished in time for the Saturday party!"

What else is new?

“We have expanded our baking supplies, including colorful, clever cupcake papers,” Cherie continued, saying they're appropriate for kids' and adults' parties. “We teach cake decorating and baking classes three or four times a week at the Santa Cruz store.”

Birthday party stress? Not if you have the party at the Santa Cruz store. Kids decorate their own cake or cupcakes.

“Staff does all the baking and cleaning up, so you don't have a mess at home,” said Cherie.

Reservations for in-store birthday parties may be made by calling Beth Paiva, in-house pastry chef, at 831-471-2212.

Sarah Noble was restocking shelves when asked how long she's been on staff.

“I've been working here for six years. It's a fun place to be,” said Noble.

Another staff member, Brie Cox, was consulting with a bride-to-be in the wedding section of the store. Kristin Childress will be Kristin Garcia soon, clearly happy with the guidance provided by Cox.

Engaged to winemaker Jason Robideaux, Cox has been Woodworm's wedding consultant for three years, which definitely prepares her to be the owners' daughter-in-law. Cherie Robideaux is pleased as punch that Cox will be an official member of the Woodworm party family.

“Brie can help with every aspect of a wedding from custom invitations to wedding-day set-up. She is also available to help plan the entire wedding,” said Cherie.

Woodworm's biggest strength is holidays.

“We just had Mardi Gras, and now we're setting up for St. Patrick's Day,” Cherie said. “We'll have all the right stuff for Cinco de Mayo and Easter. We really stock up for graduation.

“Halloween is huge," she continued. "We have all the props and costumes so our customers can be whatever they dream up, from a princess to a zombie. Luau parties are our No. 1 best seller. Beach parties, too. We have all those products on continuous display, because they're such popular themes.”

Party tables are set up around the store for each holiday, showing how elegant a table can be using paper products.

Leannae Berrocoso is the customer service specialist and has been with the store four years.

“I like all the customers,” said Berrocoso. “We get really happy people in the store. It's also cool to have all the new products.”

“She's awesome,” said Cherie of Berrocoso.

A customer walked by with a hot dog and said, “You can only say positive things about this place. The balloons alone make people happy.”

Woodworm seems to have anti-depression properties with no side effects. It's easy to imagine the Capitola and Santa Cruz Woodworm Party Stores will continue to be the go-to place for all occasions for a long time to come.