The Classic Party Rentals growth juggernaut continues with the announcement Thursday that the Los Angeles-based chain has acquired high-end La Bella Party Rental Co. of Napa, Calif. The announcement comes on the heels of news last month that Classic picked up Panache Party Rentals of Pompano Beach, Fla. Terms were not disclosed for either deal.
SECOND SALE
Only three years old, La Bella is the creation of renowned rental expert Betsy Stone, who built Sisters Party Rentals into one of San Francisco's premier rental outlets starting in the 1990s. She and husband Herb sold Sisters to Classic in 2003, then opened La Bella in Napa Valley "wine country" in 2004. Specializing in high-end china, stemware, flatware and linen rentals, La Bella has supplied events including Auction Napa Valley and singer Christina Aguilera's wedding. La Bella outgrew its 12,000-square-foot Novato, Calif., warehouse and opened a 50,0000-square-foot office/showroom facility in Napa last spring.
“We are thrilled to add La Bella to the Classic family,” Classic CEO John Campanelli said in a statement. "We have supported the Napa/Sonoma area from our San Francisco store for many years, and the addition of La Bella to our northern California network strengthens our commitment to California’s wine country.”
Classic will continue to serve the area from La Bella’s Napa showroom and warehouse and its St. Helena, Calif., showroom, Classic reports. Betsy and Herb Stone will remain with Classic as business consultants, and Casey Stone will serve as the location’s operations manager. Susan Kidwell, general manager of Classic San Francisco, will assume an expanded role, which will include leadership of Napa Valley operations, the company said.
“Classic is the perfect partner to help La Bella continue its rapid growth,” Herb Stone said in a statement. “They have the experience to take the business to the next level, and we are confident Classic will take great care of our clients and employees. Adding tenting capabilities is the next logical step for La Bella, especially with Classic being the leading tenting company in the industry.”
