Lubbock / Texas / United States
Festive Occasions began as a home based business in 1982, when Diane Garner began doing holiday decorating in private residences. She soon found that there were many people who really enjoyed the special ambiance of a home full of the sights and sounds and smells of Christmas, but just didnt have the time or inclination to do their own decorating. Diane found that she loved being able to create a space and enhance an atmosphere where families and friends could make such joyful memories, and soon her customers were asking if she could bring her creative skills to other events as well. They hired her to help plan and decorate for weddings, anniversary receptions, birthday parties and other celebrations. Before long, she began to realize that her small business was growing into something bigger - and sooner than she had anticipated! It was time to take Festive Occasions to the next level. The rental equipment industry was a logical option and familiar idea. Dianes parents, C.S. ( Mac ) and Jo McClanahan had owned and operated McClanahan Rentals, in Coriscana, Texas since the mid 1960s. Mac and Jo, along with the Hughston family, who owned ARA Rentals here in Lubbock for many years, were among the founding members of The Texas Rental Association. After Macs retirement, Dianes brother, Chuck McClanahan, who is a past President of TRA, operated McClanahan Rentals until it was sold to United Rentals in 2002. In 1983 when Diane and her husband, Joe, opened the Festive Occasions showroom in the Mission Plaza shopping center here in Lubbock, they felt fortunate to have the experienced support of all of the McClanahan family. The venture was exciting for all of them. It was not only a continuation of family heritage and tradition, but they were also becoming a part of one of the newest and fastest growing segments of the rental industry. For many years, rental stores specializing in heavy equipment and tools had carried wedding rental items as supplemental products. But in 1983, Festive Occasions was the first rental company in Lubbock to specialize exclusively in rental equipment for parties and weddings, and was one of a small number in the entire state of Texas. Some veteran rental business owners were skeptical about whether there would ever be a large enough demand to allow a business renting exclusively for parties and weddings to stand alone, but the Garner family felt up to the challenge. Festive Occasions opened with a total of two employees -Diane and eldest daughter, Lisa (younger daughter, Shannon, came on board the next year ). We began with a couple of candelabras and tables, chairs, glassware, flatware, china and linens to accommodate about 200 people. Today our inventory includes an array of wedding rental items, over 22, 000 pieces of china, 14, 000 pieces of flatware, almost 3, 000 linens and about 18, 000 glasses. Our staff includes eight hard working, experienced Event Specialists (including two from the third generation of our family ). Festive Occasions success would not be possible without their loyalty to our family and dedication to Festive Occasions goals. We are so grateful for the blessings God has poured out on us over all these years in our business, and truly appreciative of the loyal patronage of the people of Lubbock and surrounding towns. It is our honor and privilege to serve your rentals need and share your excitement and happiness about the celebrations which brighten your families lives. We truly love what we do, and we want to earn your continued confidence and patronage. Our goal is always to strive to provide for you the excellent customer service and quality rental equipment that you expect and deserve. Please dont hesitate to let us know how we can better serve your needs!
