Since the mid-1980s, owning a resale shop and serving tea was a dream of First Impressions Boutique and Tea Room owner, Tracy Bashaw.

So, just after she and her husband bought their Lake Havasu vacation home in 2001, Tracy bought an antique tea cart and began collecting tea cups in anticipation of one day leaving the corporate world in Southern California behind, and opening a resale shop in Lake Havasu City where should could serve shoppers a cup tea.

After what seemed like forever, Tracy and her family made Lake Havasu their full-time residence 2004. A year later she became a REALTOR® and began buying, selling, listing, and building homes. In 2007, when the housing market slowed down Tracy began working in a local retail store to stay busy. It was then that she knew the time was right to finally open her own shop!

In August of 2008, using her family's government stimulus check Tracy opened First Impressions Boutique. Without much money to start with her first shop was only 350 sq. ft. Serving tea was not an option at that time, but she continued to collect tea cups and saucers hoping one day she could expand.

In June 2010, Tracy was able to move her boutique to it's current larger location and she was able to offer the Sweet Pea Tea Room for her shoppers to enjoy. Although she continues to be an active REALTOR®, Tracy manages the shop and folks are able to enjoy the tea cups and saucers as originally intended!

The article below appeared in the Today's News Herald Newspaper in July 2010

The Sweet Pea Tea Room is located inside First Impressions Boutique, an upscale resale shop featuring ladies clothing and accessories, home décor and gift items, as well as custom gift baskets, gift wrapping services and custom floral arrangements.

First Impressions has been a best kept little secret for the past two years…..but that is changing.

First opening in August 2008, by the owner Tracy Bashaw using a government stimulus check, First Impressions Boutique just reopened on June 1st in a new larger location. Not only does the new shop have Hwy 95 frontage and five times the space of the previous shop, but a dedicated Tea Room has been added which is absolutely adorable.

According to Tracy response to the new location and Sweet Pea Tea Room has been fantastic. She adds that, "Three catered tea parties have been scheduled, and that was in the first week of opening!"

Tracy says that the Sweet Pea Tea Room was something she wanted to include when she first opened her store in 2008, but at that time it just wasn't possible due to size constraints. Now with the new larger location there is plenty of space and her dream has come true.

Located at the back of the Boutique, an entire large room has been dedicated to all things tea party. From the cozy love seat for two, to the decorated tables and faux fireplace, you will not believe you are in Lake Havasu. Children's catered tea parties can be scheduled and include costumes, hats and jewelry. The Tea Room is available for catered group teas, special occasion parties, and the room can be rented for other functions.

If owning a retail shop and now a tea room was not enough, did we mention that Tracy is also a local REALTOR® and offers home monitoring, staging, and decorating services?

With most of the shop's upscale merchandise priced from $2.99 to $19.99, and now with the addition of a quaint tea room, First Impressions Boutique is sure to make an even bigger second impression!