About 20 people crowded into a narrow entryway on East Washington Street Saturday to cut the ribbon at yet another downtown storefront.

However, this ribbon-cutting was unique, because it was for not one, but two businesses located in the same space.

Goddess Inspired and Star Stellar Events are now open at 204 E. Washington St. The two are owned separately by friends in the party business.

Nikole Bourda, of Goddess Inspired, said her store carries several lines of wedding and prom gowns, shoes, accessories, veils and lingerie to dress women up for any occasion. The business also carries bachelorette party accessories.

“It’s just everything you need when you’re getting married,” she said.

Bourda, who is in the military, used to run the shop out of a smaller space down the street, but was expanding her lines so much she needed more space.

“I needed more space for all my stuff,” she said.

Bourda hopes to “bring an uptown flavor to downtown Suffolk” with upscale products Suffolk residents used to drive east to obtain.

“A lot of people go to Virginia Beach,” she said. “Now people don’t have to travel. It’s more convenient.”

Antonya DuBois operates Star Stellar Events from the back of the store. She met Bourda a year ago when she went to the former location of Goddess Inspired to look at prom gowns with her daughter.

“We got to talking, and … eventually decided to go into business together,” she said.

DuBois says she’s been “planning parties forever,” and stresses that no event — whether weddings or intimate get-togethers — is too big or too small.

“My motto is, ‘Where star-studded dreams come true,’” she said.

DuBois also does chocolate-covered strawberries for any occasion, whether she plans the party or not. They also can be ordered by the box as a special treat, even if there’s no “occasion” to go along with them.

“This is my passion,” DuBois said. “It’s what I have to do.”

Both businesses will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday by appointment. For more information, call 546-4223 or 576-3676.