It all started with a hardware store. Back in 1955, Edward and Patricia Ward opened a hardware store to serve a growing community located in Southampton, PA. From the store opening in 1955 until it was sold in 1970, the Wards learned a lot about the growing community and its needs. One particular day, Ed was helping a customer who wanted to purchase a lawn mower but did not have enough money. That moment sparked the idea of having items available for rent. In 1974, the Ward family opened WARDS RENTS with the enthusiasm and leadership of their son John. Having grown up working with his father, John continued to grow the family business with the same hard work and dedication the community had come to appreciate.
By 1984 it became very clear that the growth of the community presented more “life events”, such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other celebrations. From these, a new market was waiting to be serviced and the party rental was born.
From 1985 to 1990 it was a department within the larger tool rentals. All of the pieces were in place but the department needed its own personnel and a person to focus on developing the party segment. John realized his primary role was to oversee the future company. So in 1991, Robert Strong, who had just finished college and had been working in the party rental department during his summer breaks, joined full time. John and Rob created a plan to aggressively grow the party rental business and build a core staff.
By 1996 it was obvious that the party rental was going to need a new identity and thus Parties and More was born! Since that time we relocated our operation to a 30,000 square foot building in Bensalem, PA. We employ 26 full time staff and 10 part-time staff members who focus 100% of their time serving homeowners, businesses, schools, hospitals, hotels and many other establishments.
Ed Ward has since passed on and John has retired, leaving Rob and the crew to continue the vision. Parties and More was acquitted by Collective Event Group in 2022, and today we welcome the opportunity to serve you, our customers. Please know that we value you and thank you for your patronage. And to think, it all started with a hardware store!
