Party America Buys Party Concepts

Party America, a party-supply chain with 124 stores, bought Party Concepts for $16 million in cash.

The purchase gives Party America 230 company-owned stores and 60 franchises in 48 states, the Alameda, Calif.-based company said.

The closely held company is second in sales to Party City Corp.

Chief Executive Marty Allen said the combined company would have sales of about $230 million.

Party Concepts, based in Appleton, Wis., operates Great Party!, Paper Factory and Paper Outlet stores. The company has more than 1,100 employees nationwide.