Celebrate Express Considers Sale of Company

Party products Internet retailer Celebrate Express Inc. announced Aug. 21 that it will evaluate its strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company.

The Kirkland, WA-based firm also said it has retailed Cowen and Company LLC to assist in the review.

In May, former Lillian Vernon executive vice president and chief marketing officer Kevin Green became Celebrate Express' new president/CEO. From 2000 until 2003, Mr. Green was president of Lillian Vernon, when the company was sold and taken private.

Celebrate Express is an e-commerce retailer of celebration products. It currently operates three Web sites, BirthdayExpress.com, Storybook.com and CostumeExpress.com, and mails complementary catalogs.

Birthday Express markets children's party products; Storybook Heirlooms offers girls' special occasion and specialty apparel; and Costume Express markets costumes and matching accessories.