When Rachel Huntington, CEO and chief creative at Bonjour Fête, was planning her daughter’s second birthday party in 2014, she was disappointed by the apparent lack of a singular destination for elevated and modern partyware, décor, favors and other celebration essentials.

“I started sourcing products from the U.S., Australia and Europe, in turn, curating a little collection in my own home,” she said. “I noticed how excited my friends were to see such a diverse assortment all in one place. So, in the basement of our Montreal home, Bonjour Fête — ‘Hello Party’ for the English-speaking — was born!”

Huntington and her family moved to Los Angeles in 2016 and opened Bonjour Fête’s first brick-and-mortar store in Studio City, California. Since then, the store has relocated to Pacific Palisades, California, and all of Bonjour Fête’s online orders are fulfilled from its Salt Lake City- based warehouse.

“I was amazed by the incredible support from the community and quickly realized that people weren’t just visiting for their annual birthday parties — they were coming in year-round for every special occasion,” Huntington said. “While I had limited experience in retail at the time, my passion, focus on customer service and data-driven decisions fueled our early success.”

Huntington had a clear vision — to create a visually captivating experience in a stale party market with products that were fresh and very à la mode. But she admits that when she opened her first shop, there wasn’t necessarily a clear model to follow apart from the big-box retail stores.

“I became deeply focused on bringing my vision of a modern party shop to life — obsessed with every detail, from the table heights to the product placement and even the precise rainbow color order on the shelves,” she said. “It was all carefully crafted through trial and error. … It took immense patience and strategy to figure out how customers truly wanted to shop for their celebrations. My goal has always been to design a retail experience that meets customers right at that moment of inspiration and need.”

PRODUCT OFFERINGS

Huntington describes the Bonjour Fête customer as one who “embraces celebrating life’s occasions with elegance, is trend-savvy and values unique, premium products that stand out.”

Bonjour Fête offers a robust online storefront in addition to its Palisades in-store location. Huntington said the team conducts extensive research when curating its product selection to maintain an assortment that is both high-quality and affordable. It monitors customers’ purchasing behaviors and actively engages with them in its physical retail location to understand any unmet needs and preferences.

The company’s tableware products embrace current trends and have always been bestsellers.

“We have always been known for creating a high- end look with tabletop at an accessible price point,” Huntington said.

A true artist at heart, Huntington’s favorite items in her store don’t necessarily lie in a specific product or category, but rather in design.

“I have a deep appreciation for classic designs. To me, our cabana stripes serve as a neutral, and I enjoy layering them with large blocks of vibrant colors,” she said. “I also welcome bold patterns without hesitation. I find graphic, visually striking designs to be far more captivating.”

And while classics always do well, retailers must also be aware of the trends in retail. Luckily for Bonjour Fête, those currently align perfectly with its feminine- chic aesthetic.

“2024 has been the year of the bow. Typically, trends revolve around colors, such as pink for Halloween or Christmas, or patterns like checkers. However, this year has been characterized by an overall demure and cutesy aesthetic,” Huntington said. “Thankfully, our branding has always been closely associated with bows, from our initial logo to the current version. We have always embraced the charm of a sweet bow moment. We have also been living in our Taylor Swift era for the better part of the year. She
really can make the whole party shimmer!”

A WHOLESALE VENTURE

After many years in retail, Huntington noticed gaps in the party market where she envisioned a perfect product that simply didn’t exist. That inspired her and her team to explore manufacturing their own product lines.

“We spent a year meticulously designing every detail, from the perfect color, texture and size to the ideal packaging for in-store merchandising,” she said.

In early 2024, Bonjour Fête launched its first product, and it quickly became the store’s bestseller. Seeing its success, the company expanded into the wholesale market — a new venture for what began as a retail operation.

“Our customers appreciated every detail, and we realized we had to make it available to other businesses facing similar challenges,” Huntington said. “Six months ago (from October 2024), we launched our wholesale line, and the response has been incredible. It’s been such an honor to see it embraced by others in the industry.”

The company continues to operate its retail operations both online and in-person. Ultimately, Huntington said she envisions the future of Bonjour Fête as the “global go-to” for all celebrations.

“Whether you’re hosting an intimate birthday bash in your living room or decking the halls for the holidays, we want to be the brand that immediately comes to mind,” she said. “Our mission is to bring joy and creativity into homes around the world, making every occasion feel extra special and beautifully curated. We’re all about inspiring moments of celebration, and we’re excited to keep growing as a beloved part of your most cherished traditions.”

BUILDING COMMUNITY

From Bonjour Fête’s conception, Huntington was intentional to direct its resources toward supporting the community rather than gifting products to influencers, and thus established a local school donation program.

“While influencer marketing has its place, I believe in the power of giving back to those who shape our everyday lives — particularly teachers, parents and local schools who are often in need of support for auctions, fundraisers and community events,” she said. “Our schools are the heart of the community, and investing in them feels like the right way to make a meaningful impact.”

This program helps on a number of levels, whether it’s raising funds, providing items for a school auction or helping with decorations for a fundraiser.

Additionally, Huntington is passionate about building connections with other store owners, particularly those also in the party and gift industry.

“Over the years, I’ve seen numerous party stores draw inspiration from our model, and go on to open their own shops across the country, which I find both humbling and exciting,” she said.

“There’s a real sense of community within this space, and I truly believe that by sharing our experiences and supporting one another, we can all thrive.”

This can look like merely getting to know one another on a personal level, sharing entrepreneurial visions and insights, or even discussing business nuances and difficulties.

“At the end of the day, I believe that we’re stronger together, and I’m committed to building a network of party and gift shop owners who uplift and inspire each other,” Huntington said. “Our shared success only makes the industry more vibrant and allows us all to bring more joy to our customers’ celebrations.”