Metro Detroiters react to helium shortage

A growing number of Party City locations are running out of their in-store helium tanks.  The gas is in high demand and used in everything from aerospace and nuclear power to medical MRIs and balloons.

At the Party City in Royal Oak, there is a sign on the front door that reads, "Due to a nationwide helium shortage, we are temporarily unable to inflate or take balloon orders at this location."

All their party balloons are still available for purchase.  You just have to inflate them yourself, and since you probably don't have a personal stash of helium, Party City is selling take home tanks capable of blowing up 50 nine inch balloons.

Upon hearing the news, the public was deflated.

"It's very sad.  The kids are going to be sad to hear this," one person said.

One woman we talked to didn't seem particularly concerned.  Meanwhile, we asked another individual whether we ruined his day telling him there is not enough helium for all the balloons.

"No, not at all.  I don't use balloons anyway," he answered.

"Why do you need balloons with helium in them?" another man remarked.  "It doesn't make really a lot of sense."

So, you can just blow them up yourself and then tape them up?

"There you go.  Same thing.  Or, you know, static electricity, you kind of just stick it to the wall."

Party City didn't want to comment, but a shortage has happened before, so the company is hoping this is just a passing gas crisis.