Froyo Scene in Torrance, CA

Golden Spoon inside Vons

Fro-yo girl here. A diverse city in the South Bay, Torrance has a population of 139,576, making it the eighth largest city in Los Angeles County. It borders the Pacific Ocean on the west. The median age is 43.1 and the median household income of $113,105 is above the national average. It is the home of one of the largest malls in the country, Del Amo Fashion Center.

There are currently two froyo shops in Torrance, Pinkberry and Yogurtland. Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt, a Southern California froyo chain, was the oldest froyo shop in Torrance. There were a spurt of openings in 2007-2008 that were inspired by Pinkberry and another spurt of self-serve openings from 2009-2010. I found 15 closed froyo shops. 

Current Places to Get Froyo

• Pinkberry, 21157 Hawthorne Blvd, opened in 2008
• Yogurtland, 21213 Hawthorne Blvd, Ste A, opened at the Village Del Amo in 2010 when it was $0.30/oz. For real.

Closed Froyo Shops

• Berribiss Café, 25412 Crenshaw Blvd, offered self-serve froyo, crepes, smoothies, boba tea, snow fluff, appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and espresso drinks. It opened in 2014 and closed in 2015.
• Bomball Frozen Goodies opened in 2009, was a self-serve froyo shop. It closed in 2012. It was also known for Hawaiian shaved ice.
• Caliyogurt, 2370 Crenshaw Blvd Ste F, opened in 2008. It was counter-serve and specialized in Pinkberry-style tart froyo. It may have closed in 2010.
• Cups Frozen Yogurt, 2533 Pacific Coast Hwy, was a self-serve shop that opened in 2014 and closed in 2017. It had a club-like atmosphere and targeted a younger demographic.
• Friza Frozen Yogurt, 2533 Pacific Coast Hwy, took over the Cups Frozen Yogurt space in 2017. It was self-serve and seems to have closed in 2019.
• Golden Spoon, 20016 Hawthorne Blvd Ste D, was from 2007 – 2013
• Golden Spoon, 24325 Crenshaw Blvd, was inside Vons from 2008 - 2010
• Lov Yogurt, 3525 W Carson St, Ste 79, was a self-serve froyo shop inside Del Amo Mall. It opened in 2010 and closed in 2011.
• Menchie’s, 2533 Pacific Coast Hwy, opened in 2012 and closed in 2015.
• Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt, 20016 Hawthorne Blvd Ste D, probably opened in the 1980s or 1990s and closed in 2016,
• Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, 3525 Carson St, Ste 79, was a self-serve shop that opened in 2012 and closed in 2018
• Yogurt Island, 20052 Hawthorne Blvd, opened in 2008 and closed in 2015. It was self-serve and $0.35/oz when Yogurtland was $0.30/oz.
• Yogurtland, 24631 Crenshaw Blvd, opened in 2010 and may have closed during 2020.
• Yogurt Lounge, Rolling Hills Plz 25412 Crenshaw Blvd, was a self-serve froyo shop that opened in 2010 and closed in 2019.
• Yogurt Me Mine, 2814 Sepulveda Blvd # C, opened in 2010 and closed in 2013. It was self-serve.

Open But No Longer Offers Froyo

• Costco, 2640 Lomita Blvd, stopped offering froyo.

Did I miss any froyo shops in Torrance? Let me know.

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.

Yogurtland’s Unusual Year

 

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland has been celebrating 20 years this year with a free froyo giveaway, 20th anniversary spoons, 20th anniversary stickers, 20% off for Real Rewards members every 20th of the month, and more. 

Celebration aside, the things that I expected to happen at Yogurtland at the beginning of the year didn’t happen.

Yogurtland usually starts the new year with new flavors. But this year, they haven’t introduced a new flavor yet. It’s so unusual for Yogurtland to not have a new flavor introduction for this long.

The local Yogurtland branches usually raise prices in January. They didn’t do it this year for the first time that I can think of. They also used to send coupons once a quarter in the mail, but this year, I haven't received any coupons. 

Yogurtland also changed PR agencies in January, switching from Bolt PR to Konnect Agency.

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.

Pinkberry’s New Spring Froyo Flavor, Mango Passion Jasmine

 

Fro-yo girl here. Pinkberry just dropped its new spring flavor, Mango Passion Jasmine froyo. They recommend topping it with mango, kiwi, and passion fruit boba.

Mango Passion Jasmine froyo: It was surprisingly tangy and not as sweet as I expected. I could taste the mango and the passionfruit, but not the jasmine. Maybe there was a floral undertone, but I’m not sure. The texture was light and smooth, but less creamy than their pomegranate froyo. I couldn’t taste the yogurt either. It was more like a sorbet. I wonder how different Mango Passion Jasmine froyo is from their other flavor, Passion Mango froyo. I haven’t had Passion Mango froyo since 2018, so I’m not sure. Recommended toppings: mango, raspberries, and a buttery waffle cookie.

Pinkberry also has a new crushed tea. 

I’ve noticed a trend where some of the “new” Pinkberry flavors taste like older Pinkberry flavors. The Blueberry Lavender froyo tasted like the older Blueberry flavor. Green tea lemonade froyo tasted like the older Green Tea flavor. Island Mango froyo tasted like the older Mango froyo.

Mango Passion Jasmine froyo and the new crushed tea are available for a limited time at participating US Pinkberry stores.

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.

Future Froyo Shop: Go Greek Larchmont

 

Fro-yo girl here. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one of these froyo opening soon signs in Los Angeles. Go Greek Yogurt is taking over the former home of Holey Grail Donuts in Larchmont Village at 148 N Larchmont Blvd. It will be the only froyo shop in Larchmont Village. You can get hard scoop froyo at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams across the street. There’s also a Bacio di Latte and Salt & Straw nearby. Salt & Straw has been offering scoopable froyo flavors this year. If you want juice or acai in Larchmont, there’s an Oakberry, Kreation Juicery, and Pressed Juicery (which carries plant-based Freeze soft serve).

Larchmont Village used to have a Pinkberry and an independent shop called Twirl. Twirl closed ten years ago.

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.

Yogurtland 20th Anniversary Spoons

Fro-yo girl here. I was at Yogurtland collecting my 20th anniversary raspberry giant spoons when I spotted the new regular size Yogurtland 20th anniversary raspberry spoons. They look identical to the giant raspberry spoons. I found out later that the regular size 20th anniversary spoons also come in green.

The anniversary spoon is topped with the number “20” and a picture of a Yogurtland froyo cup inside the zero. It also says years under the 20 and Yogurtland on the handle. On the back, it says 20 Years of Love, Joy & Hope.

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.

Gelatys Mini Gems Blueberry Yogurt Review

Fro-yo girl here. Sprouts just added Gelatys Mini Gems to the freezer section. Mini Gems are mini gelato pops. They’re available in five flavors, including one yogurt-based flavor, Greek Yogurt with Blueberry and White Chocolate. A box of four mini pops is $8.99 regular price. I found them on sale for $7.99/box.

Greek Yogurt: The plain yogurt gelato pop had a drizzle of blueberry sauce and was enrobed in Belgian white chocolate. There was very little blueberry sauce. The Belgian white chocolate shell was thin and crispy. The sweetness of the white chocolate didn’t complement the tartness of the plain yogurt. It detracted from the yogurt flavor. The yogurt was slightly tangy with a light, somewhat creamy texture (it wasn’t super creamy). It did taste like yogurt. The pop was about 2.5 inches high and 2 inches in length. One 45g mini pop is 140 calories, 10g total fat, 10g total carbs, 9g total sugars, and 2g protein. It’s made with Greek yogurt and heavy cream.

Available flavors:

• Passion Mango
• Strawberry Chocotella
• Pistachio Chocotella
• Chocolate Volcano

The Gelatys full-size gelato on a stick Blueberry Yogurt was much better. I’ve had a hard time finding it recently.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

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.

Yogurtland Giant 20th Anniversary Spoon Giveaway

 

Fro-yo girl here. With the new Yogurtland 20th anniversary raspberry giant spoon drop today, I’m starting to feel like they’re finally celebrating the special milestone properly. The froyo giveaway was also a nice touch because froyo giveaways are so rare nowadays. They remind me of the days when Yogurtland gave out free froyo for National Frozen Yogurt Day.

Back to my froyo spoon collection, the Yogurtland raspberry 20th anniversary giant spoon is free with every $15 minimum in-store purchase, with a maximum of 2 spoons per transaction, while supplies last.

The anniversary spoon is about a foot long, topped with the number “20” and a picture of a Yogurtland froyo cup inside the zero. It also says years under the 20 and Yogurtland on the handle. On the back, it says 20 Years of Love, Joy & Hope.

The 20th anniversary spoon and the platinum spoon are the only Yogurtland giant spoons with special designs.

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.