Helium shortages have local impact
— Staff Writer
What goes up, must come down. Recent helium scarcity has caused a sudden upset in the supply of the non-renewable gas. It is not known when shortages will abate, if ever, forcing local business to adapt.
“All of the sudden they just said no more,” said the owner of Balloons With A Twist, Michele Rothstein. “We felt [helium shortages] a few times over the years and it always kind of comes around. But this time it hasn’t really come around.”
Prices have been steadily rising for helium over the last few months. A single tank can fetch over a $100.
But now, price is no longer the issue. The supply has all but dried up, and distributors are either out of stock, or rationing their remaining inventory.