Local Business Spotlight: The Balloon Boutique

Whimsy & Serendipity

With a wall of rainbow colored balloons just waiting to be inflated and sweet treats of all kinds, The Balloon Boutique in Downtown Greeley has just what you need to sprinkle a little joy on any kind of celebration.

The Balloon Boutique

The Balloon Boutique is the brainchild of professional balloon artist Allison Mitchell Dunning. This new retail shop grew out of her other business Balloon Art by Merry Makers which she still operates out of the basement of the building. While Merry Makers continues to handle larger orders for events and to distribute materials to other businesses, The Balloon Boutique offers customers the chance to hand select the elements for smaller arrangements and watch as they are inflated, twisted and assembled–the chance to taste the wondrous experience that ultimately drew Allison to the craft over 20 years ago!

Allison Mitchell Dunning in her Balloon Boutique

“My purpose is to bring joy”

– Allison Mitchell Dunning

Allison’s Creative Vocation

Allison’s journey with balloon art began on a trip to celebrate her great grandfather’s 90th birthday. Her children were both still quite small and she remembers sharing their delight as a family member twisted a few balloon sculptures for them. So, of course, she had to try her hand at it! Allison had always considered herself a creative person, but she never really felt like she had found her medium until that moment. Once she returned home to Greeley, she checked out every book she could find about balloon art from the library and taught herself the basics. Shortly afterward she bumped into a balloon artist working at IHop. Excited to share her newfound passion, she struck up a conversation and learned that they were seeking balloon artists to take shifts–she had just landed her first gig! This ultimately led to larger opportunities like ballooning at a family event hosted by State Farm for 500 people. With a voracious appetite to learn and grow, Allison quickly established her own business in northern Colorado, edging out a Wyoming business who previously served the area. Just one year after twisting her first balloon, she was hosting a booth at a large wedding show down in Denver advertising her event services!

Flash forward to today, Allison says, “opening The Balloon Boutique just feels like the next logical step. I live my life by being guided by the things around me–I follow the energy.” Keeping in step with her ballooning journey so far, there was a certain right-time-right-place serendipity in how it all came about. While serving on the Greeley Creative District Board she got to know fellow board member Andy Nagel. While they were chatting after a board meeting this January, he mentioned that he had space available to rent in his Artwerx building downtown. That night, she took a tour and decided it would be a great workspace. Likewise, when the storefront upstairs also became available, she jumped at the chance to see her longtime dream realized in the Balloon Boutique. 

The Big Balloon Build

Though this year has been a whirlwind, the timing couldn’t be better! Allison is excited to establish the business this year because she was recently selected to bring The Big Balloon Build to Greeley next summer! It is a special, immersive balloon installation and event platform created to promote a charitable organization–to raise awareness about its cause and mission. With events or “Builds” around the globe, it was truly an honor to be chosen to host the event. As the host, Allison will not earn any profit from the Build, though she will have the privilege of showcasing her work and making key decisions that will shape the event. 

While there is still much to finalize for the event she is happy to share some details now:

  • FEATURED ORGANIZATION: All proceeds from the event will go to Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy, an organization in Weld County providing support and resources to protect children from abuse. Allison chose this organization because she knows child abuse is a heavy issue that many would rather look away from and so she wants to bring light, energy and awareness to the organization’s mission in a way that is fun and interactive. She is also hopeful that it will bring joy to the children being served by the program.

  • THEME: Outer Space

  • LOCATION: The Build will take place in the new Aims Welcome Center.

  • TIMEFRAME: July 16-24, 2023 - With events beginning on July 20th.

  • CONTRIBUTORS: 65 balloon artists from around the world will be invited to assemble the build and create balloon fashion for the silent auction. Artists donate their time, and talent to this amazing adventure.

  • ACTIVITIES: The event will encompass a full week of activities, including a Gala, silent auction, a food truck rally, STEAM (science, technology, art and mathematics) programs, private/public viewing opportunities and a popping party to dismantle the Build.

  • GOAL: All in all, Allison’s goal is to raise $500,000 for Life Stories through this ambitious event. 

Want to learn more about how you can get involved in this fabulous event?
Please contact Allison directly: allison.merrymakers@gmail.com with BBB Colorado in the subject line.

by: Dana Buckingham

Greeley Creative District