Every day's a party at new Spotswood biz
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

Local resident Donna Cary recently opened the Party Hut in Spotswood's Pelican Plaza. The business doubles as a ceramics studio and party hall for children.

SPOTSWOOD -- After years of work in the corporate world, a local woman has fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning her own business.

Donna Cary, a Monroe native who now resides in Spotswood, has recently opened the Party Hut, a ceramics studio that also specializes in children's parties. The business is located in Pelican Plaza, 491 Manalapan Road.

Cary said the Party Hut concept came about after she noticed a marketplace gap.

"I thought it would be a good idea because there's nothing in the area like this," she said. "There's nothing for kids in the area."

She said children and adults who enjoy art can go to the Party Hut to enjoy and create.

"We have lots of paints and different glazes," she said. "We teach them how to do it, and there's no appointment needed."

Cary said the Party Hut is generally a place where people can go to "relax and just get away from it all for an hour or two."

Opening Aug. 12, the Party Hut "had a very successful opening week," she said.

"People say it's very relaxing in the store due to the design. I've gotten feedback that you need something like this in the area," she said.

The Party Hut's balmy quality stems from its design, which includes the sound of water fountains and bright colors that accent the walls and ceiling.

And though the artwork and decor may be impressive, the Party Hut is really about, as its name implies, parties. And Cary has all sorts of those. There are eight party options to choose from, including ceramics parties.

Another option is the animal party, where children pick a fake animal, stuff it and paint T-shirts for it. There is also the fish party, where children build an aquarium, then pick real fish to go in it, she said.

Other options involve decorating, in one case a soccer ball or baseball cap; T-shirt parties, where children can decorate the shirts; jewelry parties, for making necklaces and bracelets; and backpack parties, where children get and decorate backpacks.

The parties also include pizza, soda, juice, party favors, tattoos and ice cream, and Cary also sends out the invitations and thank you cards herself.

There are also different games available during the parties.

"All the parent needs to do is bring a camera," she said.

She said her 12 nieces and nephews helped her come up with the idea for the Party Hut.

She was always in charge of planning their parties, and received a good response to the events she organized.

"So I decided to go into business," she said. "Plus I always wanted to be an entrepreneur."

The Party Hut is also home to the Mommy and Me program, which begins Sept. 12 and is for children ages 2 to 4.

Cary said the program involves a child coming in with his or her mom or other relative and joining a class with other children for various activities. The first five-week period will involve making a scrapbook, she said.

The Party Hut also hosts class trips, and can be rented out by groups who need space, she said.

Cary, who is the sole owner, said the Party Hut can hold up to 102 people, and party prices vary based on the number of children and type of party.