What's Happening in Westlake, OH…

Shave ice (not “shaved ice”) is a staple in Hawaii, and now it's available to Fairview Park residents, thanks to Nicholas Kudej and Kayla Mooney.

The couple have been to the islands many times and seen the popularity of shave ice, as people stand in line for up to an hour to buy it. During their last trip, they got a call that a space they had looked at was available, and they decided to bring the treat home. They opened 808 Shave Ice early in June.

The 808 in the store's name is Hawaii's area code, and the treats they produce are the same as in the islands. The difference between shave ice and a snow cone is that the former uses shredded ice while the latter uses crushed ice. Customers can create their own sweets using flavors like kiwi and Mai Tai.

In addition to the ices, 808 will serve a number of other drinks like Kona coffee, Frappuccino, loose leaf teas, and chai tea, as well as goodies like cookies and muffins. The store has taken over a former veterinary hospital, and resembles a typical ice cream stand that gets a lot of foot traffic. However, the couple has set aside a small area indoors so that people can stop in year-round.

Companies like this can benefit if owners work with a banner printing company to create a festive streamer to display over the entrance to welcome new customers.