Allen opened the business in 2007 to provide a unique experience to the Lansing community that has not been seen before.

From feather boas to colorful hats and glitter makeup to rocking karaoke songs, Sweet Little Party Palace has it all for young girls to embrace their girly-girl side.

“We specialize in anything that’s pink and girly,” Allen said. “Girls need their own place.”

Typically the younger girls love to be princesses, wearing Disney princess outfits of various colors, Allen said. But once they are about 7 years old or older, they tend to like the glam girl and diva outfits, she added.

“Everything is kid-oriented. Nothing is overdone,” Allen said. “It’s just right for the girls. … They have a chance to use their imagination.”

During the event, girls will pair up and paint their nails. They can also use glitter makeup or real makeup, depending on the age.

Karaoke also is a popular feature, Allen said. Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers are played all the time.

In addition, girls can make jewelry and create their own bubble baths and lotions.

“(These are) things that bigger malls have for girls, but (instead) you can come here and have a private party,” Allen said. “Unlike the mega party centers … this is a time for your party guests. This is for you.”

Lansing resident Melina Lerma said Party Palace is a great environment for her 4-year-old daughter, Alezay Rodriguez. She said her daughter loves coming here, each time like the first as she walks through the doors.

“Everything is pink. And she’s totally into princesses,” Lerma said. “It’s all about the little girls. … Everyone can have fun here.”

Angela Atkins-Eddins said her daughter, Ashlyn Eddins, loves all the activities offered, as well.

“My daughter is like a total girly girl,” said Atkins-Eddins, a Holt resident. “She loves coming to get her nails painted, and Miss Deborah lets her dress up in the dresses. She puts sparkles and glitter in their hair.”

The parents that drop the girls off are sometimes jealous, said Atkins-Eddins, who said she would have loved something like this as a little girl.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a girly girl, but it would have been nice to come and meet other children and get your hair all sparkly and put on a little bit of makeup,” she said.

Once someone finds out about Sweet Little Party Palace, customers always come back, Allen said.

Atkins-Eddins said she saw an advertisement for Sweet Little Party Palace in a newspaper and she and her 4-year-old daughter have returned for over a year now.

“We usually try to come in once a month,” she said. “I like for her to come and interact with the kids.”

For Allen, the most rewarding thing is receiving warm hugs from the little girls out of appreciation.

“Every party is very rewarding for me, honestly, because I get girls here that have so much fun,” Allen said. “And when they leave, I hear them say this is the best birthday party they’ve had.”

It is also important that parents are able to take advantage of a place like this, especially with such an affordable price, Allen said.

“We don’t want to lose that wonderful feeling of dress up for little girls and tea parties,” Allen said. “They want to be able to provide the ultimate party for their child. We want to be there for them to service them.”

At the end of the day, this is more than a job for Allen. It’s a passion, she said, whether it’s planning the perfect royal tea party or giving girls an experience they will never forget with their best friends.

“I never look at this as work, because if I did, I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Allen said. “I love it.”