Younghouse Party Central

Younghouse Distributing Inc. was opened by Earl Charles (E.C.) Younghouse in 1949. It contained both a wholesale and retail store consisting of party goods. Both businesses were near the intersection of Interstate 55 and Highway 74 in Cape Girardeau. E.C. Younghouse died in 2005, and his sons, Fred and Rob Younghouse, each purchased part of the business from their mother, Mildred Younghouse.

"My brother, Fred, bought the wholesale side of the business and my wife, Laura, and I bought the retail side," Rob Younghouse says.

In 2008, Rob and Laura opened a second retail location at 2005 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

"We operated both locations for a few years, and then we closed the retail store on Meadowbrook Lane in December 2011," he says.

Younghouse Party Central carries balloons, balloon arrangements, party goods, parade supplies, costumes, makeup, wigs, candles, flags and poles for commercial and home use, as well as banners, pennants and gifts.

Rob and Laura Younghouse are owners of Younghouse Party Central in Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

"We've also expanded our costume line as well as our makeup and wigs, and we carry them all year round," Younghouse says. "And we now carry Tyler candles and laundry detergent as well as some costume jewelry."

When asked what sets Younghouse Party Central apart from other party stores, Younghouse shares this: "I think it's our ability to special order specific items that people want. The chain stores don't have the ability to do that. Plus, we constantly try to follow popular themes and trends."

Younghouse sees customer service as the key to the long-running business' success.

"We have the ability to roll with changes and to carry things that aren't readily available [at other places]," Younghouse says.

Future plans for the store include expanding its flag business.

"We carry the finest quality flags available," Younghouse says. "You see the American flag and the state flag being flown at many area banks, and I would like to see more businesses display them."