About Us

Founded in 2005, A2Z Balloon Company was a merger of two well-known and very established Detroit area novelty companies, Advance Novelty Company and Zakoor Novelty which were founded in 1938 and 1957 respectively. A2Z Balloon Company is a direct distributor for all the leading balloon and party supply manufacturers in the world. We ship throughout the United States and distribute helium only in Southeast Michigan. Our customers include retailers, balloon decorators and entertainers that re-sell wholesale balloons and party supplies in addition to commercial customers that use our products to promote their party supply businesses. Many of the products we distribute are manufactured here in the USA and are of the highest quality in the world.

Advance Novelty Company still exists as a sister company to A2Z but is strictly a wholesale bingo supply company servicing hundreds of licensed charitable bingo and casino bingo customers throughout Michigan. Advance was founded in 1938 by Vincent Chouinard and taken over by his son, Paul in 1972. Initially Vincent operated the business out of his home but in 1947 moved the company to its first commercial building on Warren Ave. in Detroit. The company went through a series of moves into larger buildings over the years and moved to its current location in Livonia in 1996. Advance was a leader for many decades in bingo, Las Vegas Rentals, advertising specialties and carnival supplies but like many other novelty companies it entered the wholesale balloon and helium business in the mid 1990’s. The company was purchased by the current owner, Chuck Jacoby, in 2002 and it has seen considerable growth and change ever since. In 2003 the Michigan Lottery authorized charitable bingo operators to use electronic bingo machines and Advance quickly became one of the largest suppliers of these devices. In 2005, the Zakoor Novelty business was added and Advance’s balloon, helium and retail business were spun off to the newly formed A2Z Balloon Company.

Zakoor Novelty throughout its long history was a landmark on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, offering an endless variety of novelties to both the public and the many jobbers and wholesalers that comprise the Metro Detroit novelty market. In 1984 Michael Zakoor, nephew of the founder, purchased the business that he had worked in since he was a teenager. Under Mike’s leadership Zakoor Novelty grew into one of the largest balloon wholesalers in the country with operations in Detroit, Chicago and Windsor, Ontario.

In 2004 Jacoby and Zakoor began discussing the possibility of merging their respective wholesale balloon and helium operations so they could more effectively compete in what has become an extremely competitive segment of the party industry. Over many months they developed an effective business plan, obtained financing and on July 1, 2005 A2Z Balloon Company began operating out of Advance Novelty’s Livonia warehouse as a brand new company. A2Z combined many strengths of these two successful enterprises and has grown considerably in sales, customer mix and product offerings since it opened. A2Z prides itself on customer service, high shipping fill rates and getting orders out quickly for its customers.

Since 2005, A2Z Balloons has continued to grow and distinguish itself as a complete wholesale balloon source, offering one of the widest varieties of both discount and premium licensed balloons as well as high quality decorator balloons in the entire country. A2Z Balloon Company is a distributor for every U.S. manufacturer of balloons and balloon accessories. It is also a major helium wholesaler in Southeast Michigan serving thousands of retail and commercial establishments. A2ZBalloons.com went online in 2011 to offer a more convenient method for customers to shop. The site underwent a complete redesign which launched in early 2017 to increase its presence on the web and to improve functionality and convenience for our customers.

A2Z also exhibits at many commercial trade shows throughout the country including the bi-annual ASD show in Las Vegas held every March and August, Regent Products’ Chicago Market Days show which is open for six shows throughout the year in River Grove, Illinois. The Michigan Wholesale Mart in Detroit is open for eight shows throughout the year. For a complete trade show schedule visit www.A2ZBalloons.com and touch on the “Trade Show Schedule” tab.