Menchie’s, the friendliest place on earth with a mission to make every guest smile, will celebrate the opening of its new Totem Lake location at 11308 NE 124th St. in Kirkland with week-long festivities, beginning Aug. 31.

Menchie’s seven-day grand opening celebration will spread smiles from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, and is packed with free giveaways, including t-shirts and Menchie’s merchandise, family-friendly activities and free servings of its best-in-class frozen yogurt.

Store owners Ramon and Parinda Cruz, who have been in the restaurant industry for 10 years with a focus on healthy options, say that it is very important to them that Menchie’s makes its own yogurt.

“We are very conscious when it comes to what we serve our family and friends,” said Ramon. “It is very important to us to know that Menchie’s frozen yogurt is made from fresh milk exclusively created by Scott Brothers Dairy in California and are free from artificial grown hormones. We would not be comfortable serving our new Totem Lake family, product that we are not 100 percent proud of.”

The new self-serve store offers an unparalleled experience that is welcoming, fun and interactive, with arts and crafts for kids, enjoyable music and indoor/outdoor seating areas where friends and family gather. Guests can choose from premium rotating yogurt flavors and a variety of more than 70 delicious toppings for unlimited combinations, ensuring happiness in every cup.

Menchie’s is also committed to giving back to each community it serves. Stores partner with local schools in fundraising activities and education incentive programs. Each Menchie’s store donates thousands of dollars in cash and products annually to local schools to support student programs.

Menchie’s Totem Lake is a proud sponsor of the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club. The store owners are very excited with the idea of impacting the lives of the children in the club and the community.

The company is a world leader in ensuring best-in-class products, and considers itself the ambassador of frozen yogurt quality worldwide. Menchie’s ensures that only the highest quality milk and flavors are used to make its frozen yogurt. The proprietary collection is made from the milk of “smiley” California cows, which have not been treated with artificial growth hormones. Menchie’s frozen yogurt contains live and active cultures and has received the live and active culture seal, indicating its endorsement by the National Yogurt Association.

The full schedule of the 7-day grand opening celebration is as follows (all free items will be given out while supplies last):

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31: Ribbon-cutting with Menchie (the mascot), free frozen yogurt, free T-shirts and a balloon artist.

• 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1: Free plushie doll, free color-in T-shirts and free face painting.

• 5-6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2: $1 yumm – Fill up your cup for only $1.

• 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3: Kids 10 and under eat free.

• 12-2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4: Lunchtime yumm – Half-off frozen yogurt.

• 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5: Free dodge ball with every cup purchased.

• 8 p.m. to close Friday, Sept. 6: Date night – Buy one frozen yogurt, get one free.

Menchie’s Totem Lake is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call (425) 307-1490 or visit www.menchies.com.