Maui Wowi brings taste of Hawaii to Rehoboth Beach
A little 50th state attitude has made its way down to the First State’s most popular beach town.
Maui Wowi, a Hawaiian-themed coffee and smoothie shop, opened a month ago at 52 Rehoboth Ave. in Rehoboth Beach, next to Irish Eyes. The shop is co-owned by the husband and wife team of Jennifer and Greg Goldman.
Maui Wowi brings what Greg Goldman called “a Hawaiian attitude” to coffee and smoothies. The smoothies are all made with fresh fruit with no artificial coloring or sugars added. Many have a tinge of banana flavor to them, giving the fat-free fruit smoothies a tropical but tasty feel. Flavors include strawberry, mango orange and kiwi lemon lime.
Goldman said Hawaiian coffees are known as some of the best in the world for their rich, smooth flavor.
“We have several different coffees that are from each individual island,” he said.
“The biggest difference is that Hawaiian coffee in general – light roast, dark roast, no matter how strong or weak it is – is always known for being very smooth.
“Part of that are the growing conditions in Hawaii. Being on mountains, sides of mountains and also volcanic soils. So, for whatever reason it makes it buttery smooth. There’s no harsh or bitter aftertaste.”
Maui Wowi has a selection of espressos, lattes and cappuccinos and uses kona, which gives the coffee its smooth taste.
While the focus is on smoothies and coffee, Maui Wowi also offers a small selection of pastries, as well as Hawaiian tea and coffee beans that can be brewed at home.
Jennifer Goldman said all smoothie and coffee products are made in Hawaii. Maui Wowi carries pastry products from Pasqualini’s Bakery in Rehoboth, she said.
While the Goldmans, who have been married since October, have never been to Hawaii themselves, Greg Goldman said the couple liked the theme and attitude of the 50th state.
“We just thought it was such a perfect concept for the beach,” he said.
Maui Wowi is a franchise, but the Goldmans said, “We can say that when people try our smoothies we do get a lot of wows.”
Maui Wowi will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the summer. Greg Goldman said for now, the shop is closed Mondays and open the rest of the week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 302-519-9808, visit online at mwowi4shore.com or email mwowi4shore@gmail.com
Ryan Mavity covers Milton and the court system. He is married to Rachel Swick Mavity and has two kids, Alex and Jane. Ryan started with the Cape Gazette all the way back in February 2007, previously covering the City of Rehoboth Beach. A native of Easton, Md. and graduate of Towson University, Ryan enjoys watching the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals and Baltimore Orioles in his spare time.
