Billy?s Playhouse & Pi?atas Imports Mexican Party Favors

Owners: Billy Brooks and Sonia Tovar

Address: 2603 Tracee Way, Springdale 72762

Phone: 501-750-7516

Hours: by appointment

Start-up date: April 1

Sonia Tovar and her husband Billy Brooks originally opened their new import business because she wanted to visit her family on the Mexican border in Texas. The expensive 17-hour drive inspired Tovar to make the trips profitable by opening Billy’s Playhouse & Piñatas.

Now, while visiting her family, Tovar travels to Mexico to pick out 20-25 huge, colorful piñatas for parties and events in Northwest Arkansas. Each hollow favor stands between five and seven feet tall, and they fit children’s party themes such as Blue’s Clues, Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse.

Billy’s Playhouse & Piñatas also rents a house-shaped air bouncer for gatherings such as parties and church-related events. Tovar charges $50 to rent the bouncer for the first hour, while three hours cost $125.

An estimated $8,000 started the business, and Tovar said the piñatas are allowed to cross the border duty-free.