Yup … it’s time! I am upstairs right now in our closet looking at my husband’s T-shirt inventory. At last count he has 22 T-shirts, none of which he should ever wear in public.
He cannot remember my exact birthday day nor our anniversary, but he can remember every last detail of how long he has had each shirt, which ones were free (those are his favorites) and sordid stories about each rip, tear and stain, all with great excitement!
For those new readers of my column, you must know that I mercilessly but lovingly tease my husband of 33 years. He is a great sport about it (well, most of the time anyway). Is he allowed to mercilessly tease me? Heck no. Ahhh, the inequities of a happy and successful marriage.
Okay, back on point.
I think it’s time to buy my husband a couple of new T-shirts and a surprise gift that I saw when I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk with Regan Montano. She, along with her husband, Marty, are the proud owners of Jake’s Kirkland, the Life is good Shoppe on Lake Street in downtown Kirkland.
Jake is the face of the brand – the perpetually grinning stick-figured character that can’t help but make you feel good. Inside this very inviting store you will find a huge variety of merchandise from 100 percent Peruvian cotton T-shirts and sweatshirts to blankets, mugs, tote bags, jewelry and so much more, literally.
With no retail experience but enthusiastic support from both the east coast corporate office and their west coast corporate rep, Regan, Marty and of course “Jake” opened up their “shoppe” on Nov. 11, 2011, at 11:11 a.m.
Help them celebrate many more anniversaries to come by stopping by the store to browse, say hello, familiarize yourself with the brand, and of course, shop.
You may even get the chance to meet any one of their three sons, Nick, Tony and Brett. Bring in your holiday shopping list as you are sure to find something for everyone, from newborns to that very special Nana! Trust me, you will soon become a Life is good groupie.
Jake’s Kirkland carries feel-good clothes, plays feel-good music and has feel-good owners who are very civic minded, community minded and just very nice caring people!
Being in dog-friendly Kirkland, pups are welcome and they will be very happy to find a fresh water bowl and a full treat jar located just inside the front door. As long as they do not use any of the displays as a relief station (our male dog, Bentley, has graced us with many memorable experiences in that regard), Marty and Regan will even help them fill out their own holiday wish list as dogs can choose from frisbees to collars and leashes and dog bowls.
Check out their website, jakeskirkland.com. If you see something online that you want, click on “shop” and you will be directed to the main Life is good website but you will be tagged as a Kirkland customer. That’s a good thing, so keep that in mind! Like them on Facebook as well.
They are open for business from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed on Monday, except during the holiday season. Their address is 125 Lake St. S. Phone number is 425-242-0867. You can’t miss them – look for “Jake” and one blue and one orange Adirondack chair strategically placed just outside their store. And I have to mention the incredibly comfortable leather chairs and wall-mounted big screen TV located conveniently near the fitting room at the back of the store.
The Life is good trademarked motto is: “Do What You Like/Like What You Do!” Please help Regan and Marty “Spread the Power of Optimism!”
Kirkland resident Victoria Martin welcomes reader feedback at martin.victoria917@gmail.com.
