Life is good for Regan and Marty Montano.

Life is so good, in fact, that the couple just opened their new store, Jake’s Kirkland, in downtown Kirkland on Friday.

The store carries the Life is good brand clothing and accessories that feature Jake, a charming stick figure character with the perpetual infectious grin.

Jake’s Kirkland is located at 125 Lake St. South, Kirkland.

Along with his dog Rocket, Jake strives to spread the power of optimism worldwide one smile at a time. The company’s motto, “Do what you like, like what you do” really resonated with the Woodinville couple.

Marty, an accountant, and Regan, a stay-at-home mom and volunteer coach for their three sons, both were doing what they liked. The problem was that they were not able to do what they liked together.

“Reeg and I enjoy each other’s company so much, it seemed like such a shame to be apart for so many hours every day,” said Marty.

Over the years, they discussed numerous potential business ventures, but none of them felt quite right.

At a recent family reunion, Regan discovered that her nephew, Brett O’Hara, had become an avid runner. She decided to buy him a certain Life is good shirt, one with a graphic of Jake running.

“I couldn’t wait to get over to the Life is good store in U Village. Marty and I drove over, and I was devastated to discover that it was no longer there,” Regan recalled.

While unwinding on the back deck of their home later that evening, Regan lamented the store’s closing. Her friend, Kim, then put forth the following suggestion: “Why don’t you and Marty open your own Life is good store?”

The Montanos realized that they had found what had eluded them for so many years. Or rather, Jake had found them.

Regan said: “What an amazing country we are fortunate to live in, where an idea hatched on a back deck in mid-August can become a beautiful, almost surreal reality in less than three months’ time. Marty and I are so humbled and honored to have this opportunity to spread good vibes here in the Pacific Northwest!”

Jake’s Kirkland is what is called a genuine neighborhood shoppe (“GNS”), as opposed to the Life is good company-owned stores. Jake’s Kirkland became the 90th Life is good GNS in the country, and is the only one in the State of Washington.

The store is simply a happy place to be. Bright, beautiful colors blend with fun, witty graphics that can’t help but put a smile on your face. Everywhere you turn, Jake is staring back at you with his shades on and his wide, infectious grin.

“One of my all-time favorite Life is good-isms is: ‘We will never know all the good a simple smile can do,” said Regan.

For more information about the store, visit www.jakeskirkland.com or call (425) 242-0867.