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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.
A long list of celebrities have graced Bal
in
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