As the calendar inches toward Memorial Day, there’s one unmistakable sign that summer has officially arrived: the return of flip-flops. These humble, toe-thonged sandals have long symbolized the carefree, sun-soaked days of the season, from beach boardwalks and backyard barbecues to spontaneous road trips with the windows down.
This year, the signal is even sweeter.
On Wednesday, May 28th, Tropical Smoothie Cafe will celebrate its beloved National Flip Flop Day®, inviting customers to mark the start of summer in the most refreshing way possible, with a free 12 oz. Sunrise Sunset Smoothie from 2 to 7 p.m. at participating locations. The only catch? You have to show up wearing flip-flops.
A Sip of the Tropics
The featured drink, the Sunrise Sunset™ Smoothie, is a fan-favorite blend of orange juice, mango, pineapple, and strawberries designed to channel the feeling of a mini tropical escape, no matter where you’re enjoying it. No purchase is necessary, no coupon required. Just slide into your favorite pair of flip-flops and embrace what Tropical Smoothie Cafe calls “Tropic Time™.”
“We love giving our guests a reason to pause and enjoy a refreshing taste of the tropics to kick off their summer season,” said Deborah von Kutzleben, Chief Marketing Officer of Tropical Smoothie Café, LLC. “National Flip Flop Day is all about creating experiences that celebrate the joy, fun, and flavor our current guests have come to know and love at Tropical Smoothie Cafe and introduce new guests to Tropic Time™.”
The Enduring Charm of Flip-Flops
Flip-flops have walked a long path through history. Originally inspired by Japanese zōri sandals and popularized in the United States by returning World War II soldiers, they rose to iconic status in the 1960s with the laid-back California surf culture. But perhaps no modern-day image captures their essence quite like the “flip-flop wall” at Old Navy.
A true millennial shopping rite of passage, Old Navy’s legendary flip-flop display. Boasting sandals in every conceivable color for just a few bucks a pair, became synonymous with summer. Stacked floor to ceiling, the rainbow wall was a beacon for budget-conscious teens and families preparing for beach trips, pool parties, and camp adventures.
That mix of affordability, simplicity, and seasonal flair has cemented the flip-flop as the quintessential summer shoe. And National Flip Flop Day builds perfectly on that nostalgia, transforming an everyday item into a ticket to celebration and a free smoothie.
Summer Starts Here
With inflation-weary shoppers eager for small joys and familiar traditions, Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s National Flip Flop Day offers a bright spot of sunshine, flavor, and memory-making. Whether you’re reliving the neon flip-flop aisles of your youth or introducing your kids to the simple delight of a smoothie in hand and sandals on feet, May 28th promises to be a summer moment worth savoring.
So, dust off those flip-flops. The louder the slap against the sidewalk, the better. Step into the season with flavor, fun, and a free taste of the tropics.
