A Celebration of Sisterhood and Shopping at the Los Cerritos Center

Much like the pink hued libations that toppled over the sides of clinking martini glasses, smiles and laughter also overflowed throughout a section of during the first-ever "Ladies Love Los Cerritos" event --  a special night for 100 lucky women to dine, wine and shop.

"We wanted to do something that would inspire women to spend an evening together," said Megan Richardson, marketing manager of the . "The power of women and their sisterhood is so significant ... you just can't break the bond between girls and women."

And that certainly proved to be true as groups of female friends, co-workers, and families, helped launch the fun-filled evening with a complimentary spread of appetizers and drinks at Red Robin.

Attendees sat at select tables adorned with colorful floral arrangements while enjoying a complimentary buffet-style feast of BBQ Chicken Wraps, Grilled Chicken on a Stick, Fresh Potato Chips, a colorful Fresh Fruit Platter, Spinach Dip and Chips, and sweet Cheesecake Bites. But perhaps the star of the evening was the specially concocted drink of the night, the “Ladies Love Los Cerritos Pink Martini.”

“Everything is so great, but the drinks are really, really, really good,” one woman said as she sat with two friends.

All participants were required to RSVP in advance, and upon checking in received a carnation pin along with a hot pink gift bag carrying a Red Robin rewards card, a box of See’s chocolates, a coupon book for various mall shops, and a list of more than 10 retailers offering special discounts until the evening’s end. Those retailers included: AX Armani Exchange, , , , , , , , , , , True Religion Brand Jeans, and .

As groups of happy ladies strolled in and out of the restaurant, Richardson was quick to point out that a night like this could not have been possible without the cooperation of center vendors like Red Robin, which donated the food, drinks and part of its staff to help host the gathering.

“Red Robin was so eager to join in this commitment to celebrate women,” Richardson said, adding that their top notch staff really helped set the tone for an evening focused on fun, relaxation and of course shopping.

Artesia resident, Alekhya Bukkuri, said she first learned of the special affair through a Facebook message from her friend.

"She sent me an email, actually a message on Facebook about the event and said 'call, call, call and RSVP'!" Bukkuri said laughing as she pointed across the table to her friend Ruaab Patel.

"It sounded like such a cool event, and we eat at Red Robin often so it was perfect," Patel chimed in.

While many of the tables were filled with groups of women chatting, eating and laughing, there were some corners where just two people sat talking and quietly smiling.

But inside those quiet but special conversations were bonds shared between the most meaningful of relationships.

“I’m here with my Mom,” Cerritos resident Phoebe Liu said proudly. “I walked in the mall a few weeks ago and saw the signs (for the event) and it sounded fun.”

Liu said sharing Ladies’ Night with her mom was the perfect way to unwind after completing her final semester at Cal State Long Beach.

“She’s a very good daughter,” Mei Liu said with a smile and twinkle in her eye, adding how much it meant to her to share an evening like this with her daughter. “It touched my heart.”

Richardson said she intends to plan another Ladies’ Night toward the end of the summer, and hopes next time around, it will be an event that not only celebrates the bond between women but also promotes a woman’s organization and/or cause.

“ If we do it again, we want ladies to come and have fun, but also learn how they can be of service to a woman’s organization and help spread the word,” she said. “We ultimately want to find a way to help women in need.”

For more information on future events at the Los Cerritos Center, visit the center's website and sign up for the E-newsletter.