Retailers like Luckeyia Murray, owner of Luckeyia’s Balloons & Distribution in Homewood, Illinois, enrich our economy and strengthen our communities, even during the uncertainty of increased tariff expenses. To better understand how Luckeyia’s Balloons & Distribution is dealing with the escalation of existing tariffs, we sat down for a conversation with Luckeyia.
Luckeyia shared she is facing the tangible impact of higher tariffs, because of higher costs for essential supplies and materials. As a result, she has been forced to consider raising prices for her customers. Luckeyia concedes the tariff wars have made her “a little nervous about keeping her doors open,” although she stressed she remains committed to making her business work.
British author A.A. Milne of Winnie the Pooh fame once said, “Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.” That quote well embodies the mindset of Luckeyia Murray, owner of Luckeyia’s Balloons & Distribution, who lives by a motto for her store: “Where our excellence reflects your elegance.”
“We generate smiles, we encourage excitement. Every balloon is made special for someone,” said Luckeyia with colorful enthusiasm.
Luckeyia’s store is located about 20 miles south of Chicago in the Cook County suburb of Homewood, where she serves a large base of customers from the South Side and northwestern Indiana. She tells us she is facing
the tangible impact of higher tariffs, because of higher costs for essential supplies and materials. As a result, she has been forced to consider raising prices for her customers. Luckeyia concedes the tariff wars have made her “a little nervous about keeping her doors open,” although she stressed she remains committed to making her business work.
We sat down with Luckeyia and asked her how she continues to breathe hope into her business despite the challenges presented by rising tariffs.
IRMA: How are tariffs impacting your business?
LUCKEYIA: The cost of supplies and materials has gone up tremendously.
For example, a bag of a 100 count of five-inch balloons used to be $3, and now they’re $9.
IRMA: How does this impact your pricing?
LUCKEYIA: I am having to increase the prices. I was trying to hold off on doing that. A lot of customers are having a hard time right about now, because of what’s going on (with the economy).
IRMA: Do you have customers that come in and say, ‘Why are prices going up?’?
LUCKEYIA: Oh, absolutely. We do have customers who come in and question the prices. A helium price hike has nothing to do with the tariffs. But now you have higher tariffs on top of the rising price of helium and that drives up the prices of everything. I have to let them know, like the price of helium used to be $95 dollars (a tank). Now we are paying $300 dollars. So, everything has gone up.
IRMA: Is this making things more difficult for you to run the business?
LUCKEYIA: It’s really making things a lot more challenging for me, because the customers don’t understand that not only do I have to pay for all the supplies and materials, but I also have overhead that I have to be responsible for as well as I have staff, who I have to pay.
IRMA: Are you looking at cutting back on any items because of tariffs?
LUCKEYIA: I find myself really shopping around for the lowest prices, because vendor prices have gone up so much. Some vendors that I once used, I can’t afford anymore because of how much things have gone up in price.
IRMA: Are you nervous? Are you going to make it work?
LUCKEYIA: I am a little nervous about keeping my doors open. Even with the tariffs, things are going to get a little rocky. But I am committed to making this work. I told my husband I was going to do 15 years here, so I am committed.
IRMA: What would you like to tell the politicians of Illinois about owning a retail business?
LUCKEYIA: I feel the government does not understand that small retailers are really helping the community. We are building the community. We are encouraging the communities to stay connected.
To learn more about Luckeyia’s Balloons & Distribution: www.luckeyiaballoondecor.com.
