Blogiversary Number 13

Fro-yo girl here. I’m celebrating blogiversary #13 on October 20 and reflecting back on the previous year. While the coronavirus pandemic is far from over, things are much better in California now, thanks to higher than average vaccination rates and the continued requirement to wear masks indoors. Most self-serve froyo shops have resumed offering self-serve. While some shops still offer hand sanitizer and gloves, they seem less vigilant about it.

As for froyo, it’s still been a tough period with supply and labor shortages, as well as inflation and higher prices. Some shops changed ownership during the pandemic or are barely getting by. Older froyo shops are closing for good, including multiple locations of Menchie’s, Yogurtland, and Pinkberry, but a few new ones have opened. There have been way more new froyo flavors and new froyo spoons than in 2020, so that’s something for which to be thankful. It does seem like froyo innovation has waned though.

I was able to catch one episode of the new Gossip Girl (wasn’t a fan) but it’s on HBO Max, to which I don’t have a subscription. I got tired of those boba ice cream bars and I like purple rice yogurt but I don’t crave them the way I do froyo.

I’ve only been to one grand opening this year: Yoga-urt’s grand opening in Santa Monica on October 16. I suspect it’s the only froyo shop grand opening I’ll attend this year. But, I’m still going to froyo shops that I haven’t been to in and around Los Angeles and Orange County. There are still plenty left but the majority are chains. I did have some wonderful new froyo at Tahini in Alameda; I’m still loving plain Greek froyo with Greek toppings!

Last year I only attended one froyo grand opening, Razzle Dazzle in Upland. Sadly, they closed last summer.

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.

Yoga-urt Opens First Location on Westside, Grand Opening This Weekend

Fro-yo girl here. Yoga-urt is LA’s first and only all organic, plant-based, allergy-friendly soft serve concept. The first location opened in Glendale’s Kenneth Village in 2015 and the Echo Park shop opened in 2019. The Santa Monica location (1700 Ocean Park Blvd.) just opened last weekend and the grand opening celebration is taking place this weekend.

Grand opening details: Enjoy free smalls between 2 PM - 4 PM on October 16 & 17. For every purchase during grand opening weekend, get a raffle ticket. The prize is a $100 Yoga-urt gift card.

Founded and led by female entrepreneur, Melissa Schulman, Yoga-urt takes pride in creating hand-crafted, premium soft serve in small batches. It starts with a base of hand-squeezed almond and cashew milk, enriched with four probiotic strains. The soft serve is dairy-free, gluten-free, kosher, soy-free and all-natural.

They make their own gluten-free cones (super crispy, super delicious), sauces (the chocolate shell is to die for), cookies, pie-crust, and more. The cookies and pie-crust are made with the almond pulp, the byproduct of their housemade almond milk.

Taking over the Treats space, Yoga-urt Santa Monica has a menu that's similar to the other locations: The best hand-crafted organic, vegan, gluten free, soy-free, kosher, probiotic froyo/soft serve! Unique flavors - over 30 of them that rotate. My favorites are Vanilla Harmony, Sweet Greens, Pistachio Passion, True Tahini, Strawberry Serenity, Green Tea Tranquility, PB Prana, Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread...They also have shakes, smoothies, kombucha floats, froyo pie, brownies, cookies, coffee, soft serve pints, banana splits, and more. And yes, everything is organic, gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, and kosher.

Expect to find 10 soft serve flavors a day. The portions are generous and their high-quality froyo is so dense and filling that it feels like a fair price. Anything larger than a small feels like too much unless you plan to share.

Cups and spoons are compostable of course. Their products are good for you and they care about the Earth.

Yoga-urt is the only froyo Mr. Froyo will eat. The new location isn't exactly convenient for us but we're excited for Westside residents.

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.

Yoga-urt is Opening on the Westside in Santa Monica

Fro-yo girl here. It's official, the Westside is getting its first Yoga-urt location! Yoga-urt will be opening their third location in the Ocean Park neighborhood of Santa Monica, CA. The new location will serve eight to ten rotating housemade flavors a day and is expected to open at the end of September.

Yoga-urt Santa Monica will take over the Treats Frozen Yogurt space at 1700 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Treats closed after 10 years of business.

Yoga-urt is LA's first and only all organic, plant-based, allergy-friendly soft serve concept. The first location opened in Glendale's Kenneth Village in 2015 and the Echo Park shop opened in 2019. Founded and led by amazing female entrepreneur, Melissa Schulman, Yoga-urt takes pride in creating hand-crafted, premium soft serve in small batches. It starts with a base of hand-squeezed almond and cashew milk, enriched with four probiotic strains. The soft serve is dairy-free, gluten-free, kosher, soy-free and all-natural. I feel like I can taste the love that went into making the soft serve. 

Yoga-urt offers soft serve, smoothies, froyo cookie sandwiches, froyo pies, coffee, and tea. They make their own gluten-free cones (super crispy, super delicious), sauces (the chocolate shell is to die for), cookies, pie-crust, and more. The cookies and pie-crust are made with the almond pulp, the byproduct of their housemade almond milk. 

Mr. Froyo and I have been regulars since day 1. His favorite flavors are True Tahini and Ganesha's Sweet Greens. My favorite flavors are Pistachio Passion and Vanilla Harmony. 

Stay tuned for grand opening news and follow Yoga-urt on Instagram, @yoga_urt

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.