Fremont Froyo History

Yoswirl, 2008

Fro-yo girl here. I’m in Fremont several times a year, so I’ve tried about every froyo place there, past and present. The froyo scene was much more vibrant in the past. It peaked around 2010. Only two froyo shops are still standing in 2020: Yogurtland and Menchie’s. It seemed like Yogurt De Lite (4378 Thornton Ave.) would stay open forever, but it finally closed last year. Yalla Mediterranean stopped serving froyo last year at all their locations, including the one in Fremont. Sad.

Yogurt De Lite opened decades ago, I’m not sure when. I’m pretty sure that the ownership changed a few times. Honestly, it wasn’t very good, though maybe it used to be better. It was close to a few schools though and there weren’t many other options in the area to get a snack or treat.

Fro-ggie (1554 Washington Blvd.) which opened in March 2008, was the first of the new froyo shops in Fremont. Independently owned, it was modeled after Pinkberry offering 4 counter-serve tart froyo flavors a day. They were even one of the few shops that served soy froyo. I liked it! Frog-gie closed in 2011.

A few months later in May 2008, Fremont got its first self-serve froyo shop, Yoswirl in Warm Springs (43773 Boscell Rd.). I was at the grand opening and there was a huge crowd. The froyo was definitely on the icy side. Yoswirl closed in 2012.

Back in 2010, Fremont was a froyo hot spot. At the time, I wrote:

“Fremont is now home to Fro-ggie, Yoswirl, So Frais Frozen Yogurt Cafe, Cafe Verona, Yogurtouille, Sweet Orchid, Yogurtastic, Pink Swirl, and Yogurt Bees. Old school Yogurt Delite is still around. I get the feeling more fro-yo is on the way.”

More shops opened, including Freshberry (a franchise, later it became Pure Yum) with cupcakes and froyo, Fusion Mix, Yogurt Mantra, Menchie’s and Yogurtland. The dates the shop existed appear in parentheses.

• FreshBerry, 2010-2014
• Yogurt Mantra, 2012-2015
• Fusion Mix, 2014-2019
• Pure Yum, 2014-2016

Yogurtland and Menchie’s both opened during the summer of 2013 and both are on Mowry Ave. While the Menchie's and Yogurtland were late arrivals, they have survived longer than most of the independent froyo shops.

• Menchie’s 5030 Mowry Ave, Fremont, CA 94538
• Yogurtland, 4069 Mowry Ave, Fremont, CA 94538

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.