Helium Shortage is Sucking the Air Out of Balloon Stores’ Business

CASTRO VALLEY — Thinking about visiting a party store to pick up helium balloons for a birthday or anniversary celebration? You might leave a little deflated.

Helium is in short supply worldwide, forcing merchants to explain to puzzled customers that the lighter-than-air gas is not available.

“The public does not know about the shortage at all,” said Jenna Gonsalves, whose family owns Dana’s Event Boutique & Florist in the Castro Valley Shopping Center. “They just don’t believe it.”

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