The Pink Door Tea House has been a sanctuary of scones, stories and tradition for nearly three decades in historic downtown Glendale.

But in the middle of the pandemic, longtime owner Mae Collins reached a breaking point. 

“She was having a hard time,” said Lupe Encinas, who owns Cactus State Insurance next door. “One day, I went outside, and I saw people coming over… ‘Miss Mae’ had everything on the tables. She was selling the business.”

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Encinas wasn’t a restaurateur. She wasn’t even seeking a new venture. Still, the scene changed her life.

“She said she had sold the building to a private investor who was going to turn this house into a private residence,” she said. “Being that I’m next door, I wasn’t sure if I wanted [residential] neighbors.”

Encinas made a spontaneous offer: If the deal doesn’t go through, call me. A week later, Collins did. “She’s said, ‘Are you still interested?’ I’m said, ‘Yes.’”

The Glendale High School graduate bought the building, poured her heart into it and opened trial by fire. “I had no idea where to begin,” she admitted. “I started doing a lot of research about tea, the tea industry.” 

Meanwhile, the small business’ home required a makeover. The original tea house was segmented into tiny rooms, but Encinas wanted a space that was brighter and more spacious.

“It did need a lot of love,” she said. “We got rid of the showers; we got rid of the closets … I added a kitchen because it didn’t have one before.”

When The Pink Door Tea House reopened — complete with an open kitchen — Collins attended the grand opening. “She approved. She loved it,” Encinas said. “She loved the new changes that we made.”

On Friday, March 27, The Pink Door Tea House will celebrate its fifth anniversary under Encinas’ ownership — a milestone she doesn’t take lightly. “Getting to this point, we learned so much of what not to do,” she said. “Now we are expanding on making everything better.”

The party includes an 11 a.m. Glendale Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony, tea tastings, scones, raffles, vendors and a community open house. “We want to push for more events and private parties,” she said. “Any and all occasions — we want to be here to provide that experience.”

A $13.99 lunch special features the “Mike sandwich” — named after the January employee of the month—with turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber on ciabatta bread. The complete the meal, chicken noodle soup is served.

Her entrepreneurial streak runs deep. She has been an insurance agent since 2004 and owns offices in Glendale, Avondale and Buckeye; an auto glass company; the tea house, and supports her sons’ business next door — a hands‑on reptile education center Lizards for Kids and More with more than 50 species. Her boys, now 18, 17 and 11, run reptile parties and educational programs for schools and special‑needs organizations. “People have really found it very interesting, and they love the experience,” she said.

“We really love creating and starting businesses,” she said. “We really have a passion for being involved in the community and just giving back.”

Encinas is already thinking expansion. “I want to be able to open longer hours,” she said. “And then… open another location, maybe in Buckeye. They need more of a sit‑down restaurant.” She envisions a more formal high‑tea experience there, complementing the afternoon tea service in Glendale.

She considers herself lucky. “I’ve been very blessed in having people on board with the concept,” she said. “Even the chef [Monica Hernandez] she fell in love with the restaurant, she fell in love with the concept, the people.”

Encinas’ passion for customer service carries over from her insurance career. “Making sure that our guests are enjoying their experience, that they’re getting the highest quality of customer service… it matters,” she said. “I think we’re missing that a lot now.”

The tea house has become a gathering place for birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, organizational meetings, and even divorce parties. “We will celebrate with you,” she joked. “We will have a tea party for them too.”

Guests who once visited the Collins-era tea house enjoy what the new owner has created. “They love it,” she said. “They love the open spaces.” And Collins, whose recipes and spirit still shape the tea house, remains proud of what it has become.

“It’s been a great experience,” Encinas said. “It’s been tough… but we’ve loved every single process to be able to get here.”