There’s a new frozen yogurt shop in town that is bound to become a craze no matter what the weather outside.
Opened in April 2012 by husband and wife couple Roger and Beth Clark, the yogurt shop is already setting itself apart from others.
They are known for their already reasonable prices but they also offer discounts such as 15% off on Sundays when customers bring in their church program.
Another fun tradition that the owners have started is the chance to get a frozen treat at no cost – all the customer has to do is try and build his or her dessert to weigh whatever the posted goal is – at the time I was there, we were aiming for 13.6 ounces. The proud winners from the past can be seen smiling on the wall of fame located just inside the entrance.
Yogurtini also offers incentives for their customers, such as a club where, by simply providing your phone number, you may earn credit towards $5 off your future purchase. They also offer a to-go container that can be refilled so the treat is always on hand at home.
Co-owner Beth explained that one of her favorite parts is that in addition to pleasing customers with the wide variety of flavors and toppings they are also helping to give back to the community. The store often hosts fundraising
for small groups such as local churches or sorority groups where all customer purchases earn a percentage donation toward their charity or goal.
FOOD
Yogurtini offers 16 flavors; of these 16 flavors, there are generally six that are rotated seasonally to help customers continue to indulge in new, fun options. Another bonus is that out of over 40 flavors of yogurt on the menu, almost all are fat-free and boast a meager average of 100 calories per serving.
After choosing a flavor combination, the customer is overwhelmed with over 70 topping choices, including healthy options such as fruit and nuts to the candy that we all know and love to a few zany options that one wouldn’t regularly consider such as a customer favorite called boba pearls – a fruity- flavored gel ball with bursts of flavor.
The price is pleasing as well because for only $0.39 per ounce, you can build a treat to your liking – from a dollar treat for your toddler to a giant delight for yourself.
For nearly the same amount of yogurt and top- pings as you would get at another operation where you have no control over how your treat is made – from the multiple flavors to the numerous toppings (which other stores generally charge additional for) – you pay the same to do it yourself.
Grade: B+
ATMOSPHERE
Located in the strip mall area just around the corner from the Dollar Tree at 48th and R streets, the new-to- Lincoln frozen yogurt shop features a fun, relaxed ambiance and almost makes you feel as though you are back in a retro ice cream shop.
With a bright aqua color and fun music playing at just the right level over the speakers, customers immediately feel at ease as they begin to make the flavor choices. The yogurt bar leads to the topping station and then is immediately followed by the weigh and pay counter.
The shop itself is immaculately clean from the tables to the floors and the pristine bathrooms, and even the candy topping station is constantly being brushed for crumbs and refreshed with candy.
Grade: A
SERVICE
Boasting the quote “Serve Yo-self” as a play off of the company name, the yogurt bar is completely self-serve, allowing the customer to choose everything to make their frozen treat exactly how they want.
Customers are immediately greeted by warm, smiling faces, and one of these is likely to be one of the co- owners. After customers have set down their belongings at their seat, the greeters offer taste test cups to try a few new flavors of yogurt- the only downside is that they do try and limit the amount of testing, as each guest is only offered small cups.
Grade: B
VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY
It doesn’t get much more vegetarian friendly than frozen yogurt – there isn’t one meat product in the store.
This yogurt shop doesn’t stop there though; in an effort to please an even bigger crowd they even have vegan- friendly options in a variety of sorbets and flavor options for gluten-sensitive customers.
Grade: A+