Water Cake: The Hawaiian Style Shave Ice Bringing South Bay Farmers Markets Together
Water Cake is a Hawaiian-style shave ice business that has become a regular stop at South Bay farmers’ markets. Owner Jessica Lin built it with a name her own son coined as a toddler. What began as freelance work after 20 years in design has turned into a market favorite known for generous portions and quality ingredients.
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From Design Career to Shave Ice Business
Jessica Lin spent 20 years working as a designer, first creating graphics and later moving into tech to design interfaces. She had been thinking about a career change for a while, since the design industry tends to focus heavily on youth. That shift finally arrived two years ago when she was laid off from her full time job.
Rather than return to design full time, Lin spent a full year freelancing before starting Water Cake.
Where the Name Water Cake Came From
The name Water Cake was coined by Lin’s son when he was three years old. During frequent family trips to Hawaii, he started calling Hawaiian shave ice “water cake,” and the name stuck.
What Makes Water Cake Different
Water Cake stays true to authentic Hawaiian-style shave ice by sourcing its syrups directly from Hawaii, all made with pure cane sugar. The business also works with a local supplier from the Big Island who sources pure cane sugar from Hawaii as well.
The difference shows in the ice itself, which is made from spring or purified water and shaved extra fine. Water Cake also offers dye-free and sugar-free syrup options for customers looking for those choices.
Lin set out to create an affordable product that never compromises on quality. She says it brings her great joy to see customers smile when they try Water Cake, and even more joy to see their reaction to how generous the portions are.
“It’s shave ice for the people,” Lin says.
A Milestone Year at South Bay Markets
Water Cake’s biggest achievement so far has been building a presence at three different markets across the South Bay, the community the business now calls home.
Getting there took plenty of trial and error. Lin tried a variety of different events over the past year to figure out what worked, and some of those events did not pay off. At times she lost money and did not even cover the booth fee. Along the way, she has changed her setup several times to run more efficiently, whether she is working the booth alone or with extra help.
Advice for Anyone Starting Their Own Path
Lin’s advice for other aspiring business owners is simple: do not give up. It takes time to reach the vision in your head, and figuring out what works often means learning from what does not.
She credits her family for their support, along with the wider community of vendors who have become close friends over the past year.
Community Through Farmers Markets
For Lin, community in the South Bay means supporting friends and neighbors, something she experiences firsthand at every market she sets up at.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Water Cake?
Water Cake is a Hawaiian style shave ice business run by owner Jessica Lin, serving South Bay farmers markets with syrups made from pure cane sugar sourced from Hawaii.
Where can I find Water Cake?
Water Cake can be found at the NRB Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 2 to 7 pm, the Manhattan Village Farmers Market on Thursdays from 2 to 7 pm, and the Riviera Village Farmers Market from 8:30 am to 1 pm.
Does Water Cake offer sugar-free or dye-free options?
Yes. Water Cake offers both dye-free syrups and sugar-free syrups in addition to its classic pure cane sugar syrups.
How did Water Cake get its name?
The name was coined by owner Jessica Lin’s son when he was three years old. During family trips to Hawaii, he began calling Hawaiian shave ice “water cake,” and the name stuck.
Visit Water Cake
Water Cake
South Bay, CA
Website: water-cake.com
Instagram: @wantwatercake
Market Locations:
NRB Farmers Market, Wednesdays 2 to 7 pm
Manhattan Village Farmers Market, Thursdays 2 to 7 pm
Riviera Village Farmers Market, 8:30 am to 1 pm
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