Step Into a Place Where Anything's Possible in Haddonfield

A morning visit to , an oh-so-cute business that organizes children’s parties, finds only fairy dust is missing. 

By the time party-goers climb the few steps into the building on Haddon Avenue near the borough post office, owners Teresa Neromiliotis and Joy Kenny probably will have pulled some out of their pockets. They seem to have everything else covered. 

High on enthusiasm, the women are the queens of make-believe for both boys and girls. Geared to children between 3 and 8, Enchanted Dreams takes over where few parents can go, calling on children’s imagination and a few props to create an event worthy of video-taping. 

“At the end of the day we’re crawling to our cars but our faces are hurting form all the smiling we’ve done,” said Neromiliotis, who opened the business in June 2003. 

“I’m an entrepreneur,” said Neromiliotis, who graduated from Cherry Hill High School East and now lives in Pennsauken. “I was a camp counselor for many years and I don’t think I’ve grown out of it. What’s so great about this business is the energy that’s here. 

“The window of time when children really use their imagination is so short and it’s magical,” she said.

When the final crumb is swept up, using the site for a child's party may be an economical alternative—and you don't have the problem of children who never leave or adults who want the host to pour margaritas while the real party-goers play. 

Both boys and girls delight in dressing up during parties. The girls usually wear fancy dresses in rainbow colors and boys can dress for the role of a firefighter, a pilot or an astronaut. Some girls have chosen to be cowgirls, said Neromiliotis, and there are plenty of pirate costumes as fall backs for boys, but usually the party event is all about being a princess. Racks hold dresses from size 2 to 12.

“We’ve been doing this for nine years, and now we’re getting the little sisters as the special party girl,” said Neromikliotis. The parties are booked by families from Philadelphia and South Jersey who have learned about the event planners primarily by word of mouth. Little girls talk, a lot, and when they’ve attended a party they want to have one of their own, said the owners.

Enchanted dreams hosts parties not only for classmates, but for cousins and children whose mothers are friends and just want to plan an afternoon when the little girls and boys can play together.

If it’s a family event, the older girls enjoy helping out, playing the big sister role while still enjoying the magic of make-believe in the atmosphere.

In addition to Neromiliotis and Kenney, part-time employees join the entertainment crew, but first are trained in the proper princess manners. Enthusiasm is a prime job requirement, along with the ability to wave a wand. 

The most popular event, the two-hour private party, costs $395 for up to 14 children. The space and time isn’t shared with other party groups. The host does not open gifts during the time.

The enchanted fun takes place in a room, about 25 by 75 feet, is brightened by pink walls with castle murals and lots of painted-on greenery and faux windows that look out on rolling fields of flowers. Even the bathroom is painted to play out a magic kingdom theme and the owners say that more than one little girl has completed the final stages of toilet training in that bathroom.

The women can handle three parties a day and when parties are ongoing, the shop is pretty much closed to outsiders. Parents of children—and especially grandparents—always are welcome to stay and there’s adequate space for them to sit. Video-taping is encouraged. 

Enchanted Dreams can set up parties for up to 22 children, although most include about 15. 

Parties for Daisy and Brownie troops also are an option and the girls use the arts and crafts time to earn badges or petals. The cost of the parties for the Girl Scout Club is $12 to $15 per girl and includes a snack.

Weekday parties last for 90 minutes and include a pizza to be shared and juice. Coffee and tea are on hand for adults, and the owners do all the setup and cleanup.  They do not provide cake. Parents either purchase a cake or cupcakes at a bakery or market or bake sweets at home.

A weekday party costs $295 for up to eight children, with a $20 charge for additional children. A one-hour party for up to five children costs $150.

The business has been a top vote-getter for best children's party contests in several local magazines. 

The parties don’t feature manicures, hair-styling or makeup, although if a parent requests it, nail polish with just a bit of glitter can be added to the program. 

“It’s all about being a little girl, with a special wish on a special day,” said Kenny.

When parties are not ongoing, the shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Information about special events, including parties that focus on a special princess, perhaps Rapunzel, is available at the company’s website, enchanteddreams.biz.

The shop also runs a series of five weeklong summer camps with arts and crafts, music and dancing and tea parties. Each day is crammed with four hours of activities, plus lunch and snacks. The camp costs $229 for each four-day session.

The party center is a 9 S. Haddon Ave. The telephone is 856-429-9909.