About ShindigZ

Since 1926, ShindigZ has been America’s favorite for Prom and party supplies. From coast to coast, we’ve played a pivotal role in transforming millions of special events from ordinary to extraordinary. When we introduced the first “Memorie” book and the first decorations for Prom, who would have imagined what ShindigZ would ultimately become!

History of ShindigZ
Hubert Stump founded Stumps (the original name of the company) in 1926 in South Whitley, Indiana, a small town located just outside Fort Wayne, Indiana. The original Stumps Printing Company was started primarily as a commercial printer and local newspaper publisher. As local legend has it, in the depths of the Depression, Hubert Stump was left with one nickel that he could either use to buy a loaf of bread or put in the church collection plate. Hubert, as the story goes, put the nickel in the collection plate. The next day, Hubert came up with the concept of the “Memorie” booklet, a printed favor for Proms and Junior-Senior receptions. The “Memorie” booklet was a great success.

Over the next decade, Stumps continued to expand and began to print products for schools like lunch tickets, menus, athletic schedules, and award certificates. In the 1940s, Stumps introduced crepe streamers, balloons, and even the first large-area decorating theme kit (Evening in Paris) to its offerings. In the 1960s, it introduced the first full-color catalog featuring numerous theme kits. Stumps also moved to a new manufacturing and distribution facility in 1962.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Stumps grew rapidly, and the company changed dramatically. Stumps began offering the first personalized favors for high-school students and party concepts were added to the company with a new special occasion catalog.

In 1990, Shep and Wendy Moyle purchased Stumps Printing (named changed to ShindigZ in 2006), a school prom and party supply company, located in South Whitley, Indiana. Since that time the company has moved aggressively to focus on 100% customer satisfaction, exceptional quality, and solid product values. Stumps also introduced a new Homecoming Spirit Catalog in 1991, a new elementary school catalog called Everything Elementary in 1994, and a birthday supply catalog called BirthdayZ by ShindigZ in 2003. Stumps has featured as many as fifteen different catalogs a year.

Since 1990, Stumps has acquired three companies to complement their party business. In 1998, they acquired the assets of Glass Branders, a glass decorating company based in Toledo, Ohio. In 2000, Stumps acquired SpiritLine, Inc., of Dallas, Texas, a fundraising and spirit catalog company.

In 1996, Stumps pioneered a new concept for the Prom and party industry by developing the first website devoted entirely to facilitating the party and Prom market. At StumpsProm.com, you can get Prom planning advice from experts on everything from fundraising ideas, to great decorating themes, Prom Surveys, and tips on how to get ready for the big date.

Stumps has been active in establishing its on-line presence and in January 1999 unveiled the world’s first on-line party superstore - www.ShindigZ.com. This complete on-line catalog with the latest in web shopping technology allows customers all over the world access to thousands of party supply items at 40% below retail cost. ShindigZ.com features expanded categories for the company including wedding products, holiday items, kid’s birthday products, and supplies for Bar Mitzvahs.

ShindigZ was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst and Young in 1999 and one of “Indiana’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies” by the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. In 2000, Forbes Magazine named ShindigZ.com one of the “Top 400 Websites in America.” In the July 2002 issue, Catalog Success magazine named five catalog industry professionals as winners of the first-annual Catalogers of the Year awards. Winners demonstrated innovation in cataloging, measurable company growth, and advancement to the catalog industry as a whole. According to Donna Loyle, editor of Catalog Success, the Business-to-Business Catalogers of the Year award was given to the Moyles because of their impressive business acumen. Since their purchase of Stumps in 1990, the Moyles have taken the company from a one-catalog company with 40 employees to a 14-title firm with seven websites and 425 employees.

In the second quarter of 2002, Stumps acquired Celebration Fantastic, a gift catalog and Internet retailer that features premium quality gifts, collectibles, apparel and décor for holidays and celebrations. Celebration Fantastic features more than 2,300 items, including Michael Simon apparel, Limoges boxes, and unusual and whimsical items.

Because of great demand for more birthday-related items, Stumps introduced BirthdayZbyShindigZ.com in Spring 2003, a site dedicated to making birthdays fun for everyone! By offering exclusive items, personalized products, party planning tips, and more, BirthdayZbyShindigZ.com has emerged as a unique alternative to the basic birthday party store. Online party stores BannerZ by ShindigZ and Costumes by ShindigZ were added in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Stumps continues to be on the cutting edge of innovation in the Prom & Party industry by focusing on a simple formula of fun, unique products with good value, backed by extraordinary customer satisfaction.

PICTURES FROM OUR COMPANY SUMMER BASH