Feather Hill in Southold is now home to Party Animal North Fork, a brand-new business celebrating its grand opening on today. Southold residents Amanda Giuliano and Katherine Laureano-Cilio teamed up to open the shop after hearing talk about a need for a party supply store on the North Fork.
The pair, both interior designers, work together at Nicolette’s for the Home in Southold, a kitchen and bath showroom where Giuliano is principal designer, buyer and general manager. Laureano-Cilio splits her time working at Nicolette’s and her husband’s Southold chiropractic office. The two are excited to welcome customers into their colorful new venture.
“From 2020 through 2022 it was just nonstop work in construction and design,” says Giuliano. “One thing that resonated with both of us was that the pandemic and the isolation really made us realize how precious all our moments together are. People lost out on some really important celebrations — I did not get to have a first birthday party for my son [Ralphie].”
Photos courtesy Connie Lynch Photography
The compact shop is full of whimsical decorations, a variety of shaped balloons ready to be filled, themed tableware, and myriad party essentials, featuring fun characters like dinosaurs, pirates and princesses. Laureano-Cilio’s son, Jaymes Gabrielli, a young adult, designed Party Animal’s logo, a creative take featuring a balloon animal displayed in neon inside the shop. “Part of our slogan is, ‘let us help you bring out your party animal,’” she says.
The women, experienced in party planning and design, also intend to offer personalized services to their clients.
“We are really hands-on with customers,” says Giuliano. “If you need a theme, we will help you figure it out. If you have pieces that you’ve purchased, we will work with what you have.” Themed packages for those who are celebrating milestone birthdays, bachelorette parties, or baby showers will be available, and can be delivered to homes, hotels, or Airbnbs.
If a client needs additional help, Giuliano and Laureano-Cilio have a plethora of vendor references from the work at Nicolette’s, as well as local business owners they met through Women Entrepreneurial Business North Fork, where the two initially met.
Party Animal discourages the intentional release of balloons and intends to educate their customers about the issue. “All of our latex balloons are 100% biodegradable,” says Giuliano, while mylar balloons should be recycled or otherwise disposed of properly. Most of the brands in the store are eco-friendly. The solid-color balloons are recycled and non-toxic from Jollity and Co. “We also have several exclusively women-owned lines, such as the My Mind’s Eye line. It’s important to us to support other women-owned businesses,” says Giuliano.
Laureano-Cilio notes that “we carry quality goods; they are higher-end and more modern-looking items than the dollar store.”
“For me, Ralphie was the catalyst,” says Giuliano. “I always loved parties, and I’ve been hired in the past to do friends’ weddings and baby showers. The joy I feel watching my son when a party is decorated just for him is different and special.”
Several kid-focused events are in the planning stages; details will be announced on the shop’s website, which should be up and running in February.
Party Animal North Fork’s grand opening kicks off today at 11 a.m. Check them out on Instagram @partyanimalnorthfork. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.
