Colossal origami paper cranes, ornate paper flowers, an enormous champagne bottle…These are just a few of the larger-than-life window displays that have been turning heads of pedestrians and drivers along Americana Boulevard for years.

“When we initially bought the building, we honestly weren’t looking for more exposure,” says Teresa Sandros, the founder and owner of Bliss Events. “But it’s been perfect. We’re making Boise more beautiful — one event at a time.”

Bliss Events set up shop at its now iconic location on the corner of Americana Boulevard and River Street in Boise’s Midtown neighborhood over 10 years ago. Bliss not only offers event planning services, but also design services and on-site staff and support for weddings, fundraisers, corporate events and more.

“We’re basically a one-stop shop for events,” Teresa says. “We can be there for every step of the process, from planning to design, from equipment rental to support on the day of the event.

Teresa founded Bliss in 2005 after facing her own share of headaches planning her wedding in Boise. At the time, Teresa says there were few options for venues, planning services and designers. With a background in business and finance, Teresa says she saw a need in the Boise community that she could fill.

“There were so many holes back then — no websites, no contracts,” Teresa says. “Everything was done with a handshake. I remember thinking, ‘Maybe I could bring a business approach to event planning in Boise.’”

Initially, Teresa and her team worked remotely. But as the business and her vision for it grew, she knew working out of her home wasn’t going to work for long.

“Sometimes there wasn’t a venue built to fit our vision for an event just yet,” Teresa says. “We had to start creating these creative spaces.That’s when we knew we needed our own space.”

After seeing listing after listing, Teresa felt as if she was running out of options. Her Realtor begrudgingly showed her the location at Americana Street as a last resort.

At the time, the building had black walls and virtually no natural light. But Teresa says she immediately saw its potential.

The building along Americana Street was within a short drive of all the major venues Teresa and her team worked with, including the Train Depot and the Riverside Hotel.

“I remember walking in the building and just thinking, ‘This is it,’” Teresa says.

She and her team got to work putting in new walls, adding natural lighting and filling the display window with the iconic designs the storefront would soon be known for.

Over the years, Teresa and her team have worked on a variety of events throughout the City of Trees: Fairytale weddings in the mountains, corporate holiday and anniversary galas, and dozens of nonprofit events benefitting local groups such as Camp Rainbow Gold, The Peregrine Fund, and the Idaho Youth Ranch.

“If you have a cause that’s important to you, then it’s important to us too,” Teresa says.

Since opening her location on River Street, Teresa says she’s continued to see the neighborhood grow. She’s watched it transform from a place where people simply “pass through” to a place where local businesses like Bliss can grow and thrive.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Teresa says. “This neighborhood is right where we need to be.”

Update: As of 2021, Bliss left their Americana location and transitioned to a remote office model. Nonetheless, they continue to remain an integral part of Boise and beyond through their new office model.