Shopkeeper Spotlight: Balloon Designs by Beth
Written by Emerson Leger
Balloon Designs by Beth is located in the back of Middleburg, on Federal Street. Just a block away from the main thoroughfare, the white picket fence out front is an invitation into a world of bright balloons for every occasion. Beth Maggar, the owner, opened the shop on June 22, 2024. Since then, she’s used her 16 years of experience running the balloon department of a party store in Manassas to kickstart her business.
“I will do balloons anywhere from the birth of a baby to a celebration of life,” Maggar shares. “There’s so many reasons to celebrate in life.”
Balloon arches are one of her more popular orders, and she often makes them for baby showers. Maggar does deliveries up to 15 miles from Middleburg and hopes to get a delivery van as her business grows.
Maggar shares that most of her business happens over the phone. She didn’t expect to spend so much time on deliveries, as the store she worked at before didn’t offer them.
“I have had to rethink how I have done this,” Maggar explains.
Along with balloons, she also sells greeting cards at 49 cents apiece. The shop carries Trail of the Painted Pony toys, too, diving into the horse culture of Middleburg, and mounted photos taken by Maggar’s daughter. Next year, they plan to collaborate on calendars with photos of Hunt Country.
For now, Maggar is enjoying her favorite part about the job: “When the kids come in and they are so excited to see the balloons and the looks on their faces,” she says. “Balloons just bring out the kid in everybody.”
Every Friday during the school year, a group of kids from The Hill School will come visit her for balloon flowers or swords to play with. Maggar also makes these at community events like the Christmas parade, Fourth of July, and Oktoberfest, where balloon pretzels are particularly popular.
“I constantly go on YouTube and look for new ideas,” Maggar shares. “There is always room for improvement.”
Salamander Hotel works with her to deliver birthday balloons for their guests. She’s grateful for them and for this space to be able to live out her dream.
“I love what I do and I feel blessed that I was able to settle here in Middleburg,” Maggar says. ML
Posted on: June 23, 2025