Gusts of wind tumbling over pink table cloths and vines of plastic flowers didn’t stop Elena Hussan from opening up her business’ new home for tea parties in Bixby Knolls, Sunday morning.

Hussan, owner of Dream Come True Tea & Party Room, has been waiting 17 years to debut a permanent venue, originally slated to open this past summer, but was deterred by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” Hussan said about her venue’s first day in business. More than anything, she said she was grateful that she didn’t lose her business, giving thanks to a dozen individuals, including her mother and boyfriend, who helped her dream come true.

Hussan invited the public to view the space, adorned with tall, pink walls and a ceiling mural as well as vintage China tea sets and hand-painted flowers around the bathroom mirror.

The venue specializes in theme parties with “style and charm,” from hosting fairy and princess parties for children to tea time for adults.

After hearing word of the grand opening, Lucy He, 26, came all the way from the San Fernando Valley with a Long Beach friend to see the room for herself.

“It always reminds me of all the Victorian movies,” she said with excitement. He, wearing a white, ruffled mask and pink ribbons on her hair, said she became interested in this aesthetic in college.

Her friend, 35-year-old Lauren Nishikawa, has been fond of the style since she was a child. “It’s very whimsical here,” she said about the venue. “I love it.”

After taking pictures and gazing upon the different textures of the venue, Nishikawa and He were then seated for their reservation at the tents behind the business in the parking lot—a tea party experience Hussan hopes customers will still enjoy.

“We made the outdoor tent as cute as possible,” Hussan said.

Dream Come True Tea & Party Room is located at 3924 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807.