It’s been a great time in the Short North for Olivera Bratich’s new venture, Surprise Modern Party + Cocktail Goods, but now the party is moving to a new neighborhood. January 20th will be the final day for the party goods store in the Short North, and the store will reopen in mid-February in Clintonville.
The decision to move the store was a personal one for owner Olivera Bratich, and is not related to an increase in rent.
“The shop was doing just fine in the Short North and we’ve had nothing but a great relationship with our landlords,” she says. “I just couldn’t sustain the pace of running between the two stores and having separate staffs and operations.”
Moving Surprise to Clintonville will help Bratich balance growing two businesses with raising her young son.
“Running two separate retail concepts with completely different operations and staffs in two different neighborhoods while trying to balance being a full-time parent just became overwhelming,” she stated in a release. “Growth and success are valuable but so is my sanity and the health of my family.”
Moving Surprise to Clintonville will allow the two stores to consolidate operations, cross-train staff, and re-center in the community where Wholly Craft has been rooted for over a decade. Bratich will also be able to spend time at both stores while her son is in school.
“That was something I could never do before because of the commute,” she says.
Bratich is an active member of the Clintonville community and volunteers on the board of directors for Experience Clintonville and the Clintonville Farmers Market.
“While I live in and love Clintonville beyond measure, I have nothing but great things to say about our time in the Short North,” she says. “I do regret not having the time to participate more in the neighborhood – it was a strange experience for me to not have the time to fully immerse myself and so I’m excited to replant Surprise in the place I call home.”
The last day for Surprise in its current location at 941 N. High St. in the Short North will be Saturday, January 20. The store will be hosting a huge clearance sale, with everything in store 30-90 percent off, as part of the Short North Winter Sale starting January 15. During the transition, starting January 23, balloon orders can still be placed and picked up at Wholly Craft at 3515 N. High St. in Clintonville. Surprise will re-open in it’s new storefront mid-February.
Where will that Clintonville location be?
“It’s a Surprise!” she says. “We’re really excited to announce it, but we’re going to tease it out a little bit and reveal it closer to the re-opening date. And we’ll definitely be throwing an excellent party!”
Stay tuned to CU for updates.
For more information, visit Facebook.com/surprisemodernparty.
