By Gwen Albers
Special to the News-Herald

While planning a party, Lamar and Crystal White stumbled onto a way to make some extra money.

The Courtland couple recently took over Space Walk of Suffolk, a franchise that rents inflatable bounces houses and concessions for parties and events. The Whites learned about the opportunity when looking to rent an inflatable bounce house for their daughter, Aliyah’s, seventh birthday party.

Business has gone better than expected.

“We expected eight rentals a month,” Lamar White said. “We are doing eight a week and have had 50 rentals since May.”

The couple took over the franchise from the Suffolk owner and kept the name for recognition purposes. The Whites serve Suffolk, Franklin and Emporia; Southampton, Sussex, Surry and Isle of Wight counties; and part of North Carolina.

Recently, they have participated in Suffolk National Night Out and at an event at Suffolk’s Applewood Farms. They also donated the use of three bounce houses for the Cover 3 Community Day at the Franklin Walmart in August.

“We would like to thank Space Walk of Suffolk for donating the bounce houses,” said Cover 3 CEO Greg Scott. “It was because of their generous donation that we were able to receive almost 1,500 canned good items and raise $175 for our C3’s Kid’s Meal Program.”

“I am truly excited for Lamar and his family,” Scott continued. “He and I played ball together in high school, and it’s always great to see others achieving success.”

The Whites have seven bounce houses for rent, which cost $175 to $225 a day. The fee includes delivery, setup and pickup. They also rent snow cone, cotton candy and popcorn machines.

As business increases, so will the Whites’ rental inventory. They also work with franchises in Yorktown, Chester and Moyock, N.C.

“We can borrow over 100 pieces of inventory,” said White, a chemical operator for Ashland.

Visit the company’s website at www.herecomesfun.com/suffolk.