Party art: The Entertainer opens shop in Gardnerville

Even in a recession, people still host parties. They still rent out venues, hire decorators and celebrate life's momentous occasions.

"The wedding business is still booming," said Gardnerville resident Val Prather, owner of the party rental and event coordinating service The Entertainer. "Budgets are lower, scaled down from a few years ago, but people are still getting married, and this is a destination area."

On Friday, Val and husband Jim Prather, along with new business partner Daisy Joy-Bankofier, were in their new street-side showroom in downtown Gardnerville, just south of Wells Fargo.

The Prathers explained why, after three years of running The Entertainer from home, they decided to open the storefront and expand the operation in a time when other businesses in the area are doing the opposite.

"Our first year, we were at the Lake a lot," said Jim Prather. "Our second year, we were bigger in the Valley. Now, our goal is to stay in the Valley. The idea is people not having to go to Reno for rentals. We have everything right here, instead of paying exorbitant delivery fees."

The 1,225-square-foot showroom displays linens, china and centerpieces, as well as portable heaters, lighted umbrellas, banners, balloon bouquets and a "rustic" wrought-iron gazebo, among other things.

"Most rental places don't have this kind of decor," said Joy-Bankofier. "That's why it looks like a store. There's so much to rent."

"We drove up and down Main Street looking for the most visible spot," said Jim Prather. "We wanted the store centered in town."

So far, the move seems to be paying off.

"It's great exposure," said Val Prather. "We've had tons of walk-ins. This is a way to display items and give prospective customers ideas."

Networking with other downtown businesses and being active in the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Gardnerville program haven't hurt either, especially during the latter's winter wine walk.

"We had almost 100 people in here," Joy-Bankofier reported of the wine walk.

"We bought the wine from Battle Born, and Leslie from Cafe Girasole provided all the chocolate," Jim Prather said.

Expansion of The Entertainer, however, has only come with continued demand for its services.

In 2007, the Prathers purchased the 30-year-old, Tahoe-based equipment rental and event coordinating service and relocated it to Carson Valley. Since then, through the thick of the recession, the business has seen steady growth.

"We've doubled business every year," Val Prather said. "We still get calls from people who had weddings done by the old company. Referral is huge, and just reputation."

From the Orchard House in Genoa to the Corley Ranch in south Gardnerville to Ferris Park in Minden, the Prathers have worked the Valley's many venues and coordinated dozens of weddings, fundraisers and other private parties, including a 350-guest double wedding last year where two sisters got married at the same time.

"We arrange everything but the guest list," said Val Prather. "A couple just engaged can be overwhelmed and not know what to do - we'll sit down with them and go over everything."

"We can work with any budget," added Joy-Bankofier. "We offer design consultations and site inspections for free."

Joy-Bankofier recently relocated from Phoenix, where she ran her own venue for more than five years and personally coordinated more than 500 weddings and dozens of corporate and special events, including a "Super Sweet 16" production that aired for two seasons on MTV.

"I'm looking forward to this new partnership with Val and Jim, The Entertainer and especially meeting all our Carson Valley clientele," she said.

A free wedding workshop for brides and grooms is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. March 31 in The Entertainer's new showroom, 1540 Highway 395, Suite H. The company's regular business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and after-hours by appointment.

For more information, call 783-9300 or visit http://tahoeentertainer.com.