New lemonade shop set to wow customers in downtown Kirkland

Visitors to Marina Park now have a new option for cooling off on a hot summer day.

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade, which some may remember from last year’s Kirkland Wednesday Market, has opened a permanent location at 52 Lakeshore Plaza, Suite C, right across from the park.

Owners Terrence and Julianne Santos have lived in Kirkland for three years, and after participating in the market, they thought a space on the Lake Washington waterfront would be perfect for their business.

“We are originally from Hawaii,” Terrence Santos said of their interest in a waterfront location. “Water and nature are very important to the Hawaiian culture. … Being near the water is what people have come to relate Hawaii with.”

The lemonade doesn’t only come in the traditional form, there are a variety of flavors and flavor combinations, including ingredients ranging from strawberry, mango and pineapple to mint and ginger. The drinks are made from fresh ingredients, and Santos said they use local ingredients as much as possible.

“Not everything can grow here, but we do try to do local as much as possible — it’s part of the philosophy of the company,” he said.

The lemonade is just one of the refreshing beverages offered at Wow Wow; there are also iced teas, limeades, smoothies, maca drinks and cold brew coffee, the latter of which comes from a Ballard company. They also sell acai fruit bowls every day they’re open, and Hawaiian-style poke is available on weekends.

In the first two weeks, Santos said they’ve been busy. They opened for Memorial Day weekend, and he said the lines were out the door.

The Kirkland location is not the only Wow Wow. The business started in Hawaii and also includes locations in Japan. When the Santoses went back to Hawaii to visit family, they hit it off with the Wow Wow owners.

“They allowed us to bring it to the Pacific Northwest,” Terrence Santos said.

The Kirkland location, which Santos said will employ 10-12 people, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit wowwowhawaiianlemon ade.com.

The Kirkland Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade is located across the street from Marina Park. CATHERINE KRUMMEY / Kirkland Reporter

The Kirkland Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade is located across the street from Marina Park. CATHERINE KRUMMEY / Kirkland Reporter

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade employees make drinks for customers. CATHERINE KRUMMEY, Kirkland Reporter

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade employees make drinks for customers. CATHERINE KRUMMEY, Kirkland Reporter

Artwork on the wall of the Kirkland Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade location shares some of the philosophy behind the company. CATHERINE KRUMMEY / Kirkland Reporter

Artwork on the wall of the Kirkland Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade location shares some of the philosophy behind the company. CATHERINE KRUMMEY / Kirkland Reporter