Business Matters: Spotlight on Paper Moon’s Sue MacKellar

Ron Beacom, For the Daily News

Published

5:00 am EDT, Sunday, October 25, 2020

Sue MacKellar, 72, owns Paper Moon Event & Wedding Specialists, located on South Saginaw Road between Rodd and Dartmouth in Midland. A statue of a policeman stands out front. Paper Moon is a rental resource for everything you need for a party or an event including linens, chair covers, tables and props. They do personal and corporate events. Paper Moon rents and sells costumes and wigs and sells make-up year round and during the Halloween season. They also sell balloons and party supplies. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Paper Moon was closed from mid-March until early July. The store then was open by appointment only. They now are open six days per week for Halloween. MacKellar and her husband, Edward Morris, work there with one part-time employee. Before COVID, they had two or three employees, depending on the volume of business. The couple has been together for 27 years. They have six children and 10 grandchildren. They live in Midland. Their house and a four-unit apartment building they own were both hit hard by the flood in May.

1. How long have you owned your business?

I’ve owned Paper Moon for 40 years.

2. What inspired you to own this business?

Prior to Paper Moon, I owned the Calico Cat, a children’s clothing store in the Circle Mall. I was on a buying trip for that in Chicago when I went on a different floor and saw some different things: stickers, humorous cards, themed party goods. I got inspired by that, wrote a business plan, and opened Paper Moon and seven other stores around the state. Sold two of those and franchised one.

3. What makes Midland a great place to own a business?

It’s been corporate headquarters for two major companies, good for events. It’s a diverse community. There are always weddings, funerals, and baby showers. It’s just a good town. We’ve done events all over the state and beyond, before COVID. For Dow Corning, we’d travel across the country.

4. What are some ways your business is active in the community?

We support and sponsor a lot of non-profits for their fundraisers. As a business owner, I’ve sat on of boards for non-profits and Northwood University. We support the high schools and their activities.

5. What are some of your interests and hobbies?

I enjoy interior decorating. I used to enjoy flying. Had a pilot’s license. I’ve had a builder’s license. I have a real estate license, have done that in Arizona. I enjoy working in the garden. Also enjoy the grandkids and spending time with my husband. We work together so we’re together all the time. I enjoying designing houses and rooms for people. I like antiques.

6. What are some local businesses you work with that help make your business a success?

The Country Club and other banquet facilities and caterers. The Gourmet Cupcake Shoppe, we work together on weddings. Flower shops, we work with a lot of those.

7. Other thoughts?

Just that small businesses need their local support. I know it’s easy to buy online, but those companies aren’t here to support the local community. Support not just us, but everyone.