A growing number of Party City locations are running out of their in-store helium tanks. The gas is in high demand and used in everything from aerospace and nuclear power to medical MRIs and balloons.
At the Party City in Royal Oak, there is a sign on the front door that reads, "Due to a nationwide helium shortage, we are temporarily unable to inflate or take balloon orders at this location."
All their party balloons are still available for purchase. You just have to inflate them yourself, and since you probably don't have a personal stash of helium, Party City is selling take home tanks capable of blowing up 50 nine inch balloons.
Upon hearing the news, the public was deflated.
"It's very sad. The kids are going to be sad to hear this," one person said.
One woman we talked to didn't seem particularly concerned. Meanwhile, we asked another individual whether we ruined his day telling him there is not enough helium for all the balloons.
"No, not at all. I don't use balloons anyway," he answered.
"Why do you need balloons with helium in them?" another man remarked. "It doesn't make really a lot of sense."
So, you can just blow them up yourself and then tape them up?
"There you go. Same thing. Or, you know, static electricity, you kind of just stick it to the wall."
Party City didn't want to comment, but a shortage has happened before, so the company is hoping this is just a passing gas crisis.
Monday, May 13 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-13 21:03:13 GMT
WCSX will be at Roy O'Brien Ford in St. Clair Shores and Malarkey's in Westland collecting donations for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke until 7:00 p.m. Monday.
WCSX will be at Roy O'Brien Ford in St. Clair Shores and Malarkey's in Westland collecting donations for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke until 7:00 p.m. Monday.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 5:39 PM EDT2013-05-07 21:39:59 GMT
In a nondescript building in a Warren commercial park, an amazing animal clinic and hospital called All About Animals is doing good work for pets and their owners.
In a nondescript building in a Warren commercial park, an amazing animal clinic and hospital called All About Animals is doing good work for pets and their owners.
Monday, May 20 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:54:29 GMT
The National Weather Service has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH for all of Southeast Michigan except Lenawee and Monroe counties until 8:00 p.m. Monday.
The National Weather Service has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH for all of Southeast Michigan except Lenawee and Monroe counties until 8:00 p.m. Monday.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:26:50 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
