User:JeffFrye/sandbox

Since 1926, Stumps has been America's source for prom and event supplies. From coast to coast, Stumps has played a pivotal role in transforming millions of special events from ordinary to extraordinary.

History
Hubert Stump founded Stumps in 1926 in South Whitley, Indiana, a small town located just outside Fort Wayne, Indiana. The original Stump Printing Company was started primarily as a commercial printer and local newspaper publisher. Local legend has it that Hubert only had only a nickel left to his name so he could either buy a loaf of bread or put it in the church collection plate. He chose to put the nickel in the offering plate. The next day, Hubert came up with the concept of a Memorie Booklet for students to receive at their school dances as a keepsake. This trend caught on, and soon, high schools all around the country started ordering Memorie Booklets.

In the 1930s, Stumps continued to expand and began to print a variety of products for schools such as lunch tickets, menus, athletic schedules, and award certificates. In the 1940s, Stumps added balloons, crepe streamers, and even the first large-area decorating theme kit, “Evening in Paris,” to its product line. In the 1960s, Stumps introduced the first full-color catalog that featured numerous themed decorating kits. To meet the demand from this newer direct mailing channel, Stumps moved to a new distribution facility and manufacturing plant in 1962 in South Whitley and grew to become the largest supplier in the country for Prom decorations.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Stumps continued to change dramatically. Stumps expanded their product line and added a new special occasion catalog that included the first personalized favors for high-school students and innovative party concepts.

In 1990, Stumps was purchased by Shep and Wendy Moyle. Stumps expanded again and added a Stumps Spirit catalog for homecoming. In 1996, Stumps developed the first Prom-focused website, StumpParty.com, which was a new concept for the Prom and party industry. Stumps expanded its on-line presence in 1999, by releasing the world's first on-line party superstore Shindigz.com. Since that time the company has concentrated their efforts to focus on 100% customer satisfaction, exceptional quality, and solid product values. Today, 75% of high schools in the United States buy from Stumps for their proms and events.

Awards

 * Catalogers of the Year, Catalog Success Magazine, July 12 2002
 * Indiana's Entrepreneurs of the Year, Indiana Business Magazine, September, 1999