MILFORD, Iowa | A white, 22-ounce University of Okoboji cup is the most popular souvenir at The Three Sons.
Annually, manager Matt Richter said the family owned business sells 50,000 cups at its shops in Milford, Arnold's Park and between East and West Lakes.
"It's got the University of Okoboji crest on it," he said. "Yes. It is something that you can have a pop or a water in, but it serves for all kinds of things."
Richter said customers have planted flowers in the cups or used them to store loose change and pens.
Another hot item among tourists who flock to the Lakes each summer are University of Okoboji bumper stickers, which have moved from car bumpers to back windows.
"We've heard more stories about people with the University of Okoboji bumper sticker who pulled into a gas station in California and New York and somebody came by and said, 'Hello,'" Richter said.
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Three or for years ago, he said the bumper sticker even helped a California woman track down her stolen car. According to Richter, a state trooper stopped the woman for speeding in a rental car a week after the theft. As she was parked on side of the interstate, she saw her stolen car with the University of Okoboji bumper sticker in the back window drive by.
"He radioed ahead to the next state trooper and, sure enough, they pulled the vehicle over and it was her stolen car," Richter said. "It's just fun stories like that of just that Okoboji name getting out there."
Goodies Handmade Candies will take you back in time to boardwalks past with a number of sweet treats.
Truffles, turtles, fudge and caramel apples are all made in-house at the candy shop, 2321 30th St., Spirit Lake, along with hot chocolate sauce to top Blue Bunny ice cream.
"I have a margarita truffle," owner David Tvedte said. "It's like a party at the lake in your mouth."
"Boji Rocks" will make their debut this summer. These sugar crystals come custom-printed with the name "Boji" on the box.
If you want to take a sweet souvenir home with you that won't melt in your mouth, Tvedte recommends a nine-piece candy puzzle.
Homeology has the furnishing and accents you need to transform your home into a lake house.
The two-level store, 248 S. U.S. Hwy 71, Arnolds Park, features clothing and accessories on the ground floor -- from silky anchor-printed scarves to nautical-themed shirts and sweatshirts -- and home furnishings on the second floor.
"We tailor to our audience," said business manager Cami Wills, as she stood among an assortment of table lamps, signs and pillows printed with "Okoboji." "Right now we're getting a lot of biking stuff in for RAGBRAI."
A green metal bicycle wall sculpture rested against a chair upholstered in a beige and white geometric fabric. An off-white pillow with blue lettering setting on the chair read, "Life is BETTER at the LAKE."
Wills said pelican statues and Meissenberg prints, nostalgic images and messages painted on wood boardwalk, are popular items.
"A lot of people want their cabins and lake houses to look lake-y," she said.
