This week on What's Up Wednesday, it's all about the shopping. We have all the details you need to shop before and during the 2025 ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
All the merchandise is here, stocked and ready for you to enjoy. So now is the time to browse the store, make your list, check it twice and then get shopping.
As we told you last week, the Gift Shop at 4401 Alameda Blvd NE will be open normal hours of Monday thru Friday from 8-5 through Friday, October 3. But this week, we're adding a shopping opportunity on Saturday the 27th, from 9-2. It's a great time to pick up the online order, or get your shopping done before the event. Then during the first 8 days of Balloon Fiesta, the Gift shop will be open 8-5. That's October 4th thru the 11th. On the final Sunday of Balloon Fiesta (October 12) The Gift Shop will be open 9-2. Normal Monday through Friday 9-5 hours resume on October 13th.
This Satursday is a great time to pick up that online order you made with free in-store pickup. Save on shipping, shop on line and pick up in the Gift Shop. Of course while you're picking up your order, you might plan to take a look around the store for some Gift Shop only items.
If you'd like to shop a little closer to the start of the event, or get a sneak peak of what the field looks like, consider our Early Bird option. The South Merchandise tent will be open for shopping on Thursday and Friday, October 2nd and 3rd. Shopping hours at the onfield tent will be 9-5. You'll want to enter the field from the NorthEast corner. From Alameda, that's north on San Mateo, then west on Balloon Fiesta Parkway. Once on the field, you'll head to the south end of the field. Do be careful, there will be a lot of activity on the field as everyone will be in last minute setup mode.
Let's talk a little bit about our merchandise operation. To serve you better, we have brought on additional staff in both our gift shop and working behind the scenes to quickly and efficiently process and ship your online orders. At the same time, we're training staff to handle those of you who come shopping in person during Balloon Fiesta. We think we're ready.
However, it happens every year. Some items sell out quickly. It can be difficult to predict what items will be the most popular, even though we think we get better at it every year. We also split our inventory across a number of locations. Again we're predicting what items will be popular at each location. We also monitor inventory and sales on a near real-time basis, adjusting inventory to keep your shopping options open at every location.
We actually run 5 locations during Balloon Fiesta. We have a tent at the North and South ends of Main Street. There's another one just for Gondola Club Members. Our physical Gift Shop has extended hours and online is open 24/7. That's a lot of locations and merchandise to stock and manage.
But when we sell out, the question always comes up, will you be ordering more inventory? Unfortunately the answer is usually no. Most of our merchandise is made exclusively for us for this year's event. That means it's dated 2025. Getting a factory to gear up, again, to produce more inventory for us is difficult not to mention the shipping delays everyone is dealing with, we just wouldn't have them in time for the event. And it's a fact of life that once the event is over, everyone's already looking forward to next year, and all that re-stocked 2025 merchandise goes unsold.
Bottom line, shop early and if you see something you like buy it. If you're headed to Balloon Fiesta in person, do some window shopping online ahead of time. or order your items before you leave home.
Next week, we'll recap all the hours, and provide an insider tip on how you can enhance your Balloon Fiesta experience and save a little money at the same time.
Until then, thanks for your support of Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Fiesta Stuff.