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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2000)
dflcembeí 1» ?ooo » fl lu ¡illiv id ì mews ust Out recently cruised downtown to take a closer look at the gay-operated Bal loons on Broadway. T he owners o f this fantastic little shop are Oregon native Ron Pitt and New Zealander Gary Hopping, who have been in business, and in love, with each other for more than a decade. They met about 15 years ago when Pitt was working for the New York field office o f an Australian-based tour operator. They returned to Portland as a _ couple and later n m U g ft started Balloons on Broadway “just for fun" in June 1991. A Ï ; by Close proximity to downtown hotels and shops has proven successful and exciting for these two. Hopping discovered and brought back to Portland an overwhelming variety o f colorful goods with an outrageous twist. Shoppers would have a hard time finding a selection like this anywhere else. A m ong the items for sale are “ Billy Bob" teeth, aromatherapy candles and those East C oast “C entaur” C D s (the ones with the outra geous covers!) that are so popular and hard to get. Shoppers will find gifts, cards, wacky party gags, “cool or imaginative balloon bouquets” and classic balloon decor for any event. Pitt and Hopping not only decorate store open ings and weddings but offer “Anatomically Cor rect” Pasta, Colt Calendars and “tastefully risqué” gifts— including glow-in-the-dark rubbers— in the “Condom Capers” section of the store. Balloons on Broadway showcases the Northwests widest vari ety of medically approved condoms and personal F resh A ir A blow-by-blow account of Balloons on Broadway lubricants. A great staff and up-to-date education al material are available to assist shoppers, all in a comfortable and informal environment. Expansion recently becam e necessary to relieve Pitt and Hopping from overcrowding at their 531 S.W. Broadway location, so they § opened a production shop Aug. 1 in the Tiffany C enter at 1418 S.W. Morrison St. Here, cus s tomers also can find a selection o f cards and can 5 dles to brighten som eone’s day. Many of the colored balloons at grand open ings are the work o f Pitt, Hopping and their Owners Gary Hopping and Ron Pitt are keeping Balloons on Broadway afloat team. They especially are proud to share the story about a manager of a Portland business who Peacock in the Park is special to them loons on Broadway. O ne o f the most recent vis decided some excitement was necessary in his because they both knew Lady Elaine Peacock itors was Bruce Willis, who is in town filming his research and development department. and Misty Waters personally. They respected latest movie, Bandits. So, they filled the whole office with balloons the enthusiasm and commitment both of them Pitt and Hopping obviously work hard and during the night. T h e surprised employees devoted to the community. have fun doing it. They have discovered the joy walked into a roomful of color the next morn They continue to support gay events in Port of creativity and seem to know how to make it ing, which must’ve broken up the monotony land and hold many of the hard-working organizers rub off on anyone they com e in contact with. and brought a lot o f smiles to their faces. in high regard. They give special mention to Poi They are making a difference to the gay com Pitt and Hopping aren’t in this just for the son Waters (aka Kevin Cook), Kimberlee Van Pat munity by doing what they do best. money, though. Many people have seen the ten, Misha Rockafeller, Maria and Norm Costa. Balloons on Broadway takes phone orders, brightly colored decorations they have put “Susie Shepherd is the most incredibly dedi and retail delivery is available daily throughout together for special gay community events, cated contributor to the gay community I’ve the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. The parades, openings and parties like the beautiful ever known," Pitt said. “Her parents founded Internet site www.balloonsonbroadway.com is rainbow donated to Pride Northwest and the (Parents, Families and Friends o f Lesbians and under way and will be finished soon. bouncing, swaying balloons at Peacock in the G ays) back in the early 7 0 s, and whenever she Park. According to Pitt, their decision to support or her mother approach us about anything, it’s Business news with a queer bent should be an event is based primarily on the devotion, hard done without question or a second thought.” reported to justout@justout.com. work and enthusiasm invested by the organizers. 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