Orange County Froyo Guide & History: Fullerton

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve certainly mentioned Orange County many times in my blog posts, but this is my first city froyo guide for Orange County. I’m starting with Fullerton because it was the home of the very first Yogurtland location at 501 N State College Blvd, Ste C and also the location of Tutti Frutti’s corporate office and headquarters (2100 E Valencia Dr). As you’ll see, the main Southern California froyo chains all had a Fullerton branch.

Yogurtland was the first froyo shop in Fullerton (there may have been shops in the 80’s and 90’s but I didn’t find those), followed by Golden Spoon, Red Mango, Cefiore and Pinkberry. With the exception of Yogurtland, all were counter serve. After 2009, there was a major shift to Yogurtland’s self-serve froyo model. There was even a self-serve froyo shop at the Cal State Fullerton food court.

So, where can you still get froyo in Fullerton? While the original Yogurtland closed in October 2020, another Yogurtland remains open in downtown Fullerton at the Metrocenter (122 W Orangethorpe Ave.). The downtown Fullerton branch opened in 2009. It has the typical Yogurtland look and has 16 self-serve froyo flavors a day. Kentro Greek Kitchen (100 S Harbor Blvd. #A) is a casual Greek eatery that makes its own frozen Greek yogurt, with the option to add baklava as a topping. They have one flavor, plain. They started offering Greek froyo in 2017. Then there’s Pink Boba (109 W Orangethorpe Ave.), which opened in 2013. They’re known more for their boba drinks than their self-serve froyo. They stopped offering froyo during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m not sure if they’ll offer it again.

Here’s the list of former froyo shops in Fullerton:

• Boba Time, 109 W Orangethorpe Ave., from 2013-2013. It looks like Boba Time lasted for a few months before the name change to Pink Boba. Boba Time had self-serve froyo, which Pink Boba kept. They probably kept Yogurt Club’s froyo machines?
• Cefiore, 100 S Harbor Blvd, from 2008-2009. Tutti Frutti replaced this short-lived counter-serve froyo shop that was known for tart froyo. Cefiore was evicted from the space.
• Cherry on Top, 1911 W Malvern Ave, from 2010-2014: Cherry On Top was another Southern California based self-serve froyo chain.
• Golden Spoon, 3350 Yorba Linda Blvd, from 2007-2013. Golden Spoon represented old-school, counter serve California froyo.
• Joe’s Organic Frozen Yogurt & More, 444 N Harbor Blvd, Ste 116, from 2016-2017. I remember driving by and seeing the coming soon sign. Joe’s was the first organic froyo shop in Fullerton. They also served smoothies, slushes and boba.
• Juice It Up!, 800 N State College, from 2010-present: Cal State Fullerton had self-serve froyo in campus dining (TSU food court). Juice it Up! stopped serving froyo a long time ago but is still open.
• Menchie’s, 1911 W Malvern Ave., from 2016-2020. This Menchie’s location at Amerige Town Heights Center was only open 3 days a week (due to COVID-19) before closing permanently.
• Pacific Froyo Shack, 3350 Yorba Linda Blvd., from 2013-2014. This was a counter serve froyo shop that took over the Golden Spoon space.
• Pinkberry, 550 N State College Blvd, from 2009-2011. Pinkberry opened up across the street from the original Yogurtland.
• Red Mango, 1993 W Malvern Ave, Ste C, from 2008-2009. Red Mango managed to open earlier than their main rival Pinkberry but didn’t stay open long.
• Tutti Frutti, 1950 Sunnycrest Dr., Ste 1010: 2009-2010. This was the first Tutti Frutti to open in Fullerton. It was self-serve.
• Tutti Frutti, 100 S Harbor Blvd, from 2010-2013: Vegans were happy when Tutti Frutti introduced soybean frozen yogurt, but this self-serve shop only lasted three years.
• Yogurt Club, 109 W Orangethorpe Ave, from 2010-2013. Yogurt Club offered self-serve froyo for 29 cents an ounce (cheaper than Yogurtland at the time), boba drinks, and other Asian desserts. Boba Time took over the Yogurt Club space.
• Yogurtland, 501 N State College Blvd., Ste C, from 2006-2020. Yogurtland shared a space with Boba Loca.
• Yogurtlicious, 109 W Orangethorpe Ave., from 2009-2009. Yogurtlicious preceded Yogurt Club.

Looking at the longevity of most of the counter-serve froyo shops, it’s clear that the people of Fullerton prefer self-serve froyo.

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.

 

Painful Froyo Shop Closures of 2020

Fro-yo girl here. I’m usually sad when I hear about a froyo shop closing, but some closures hurt much more than others. I’ve already written about the closure of three of the shops on this list. These are the most painful froyo shop closures of 2020 (in alphabetical order). I've visited all the places on this list.

Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt, 4640 Tassajara Rd, Dublin, CA 94568

I have so many fond memories of going to Blush after work, chatting with the owner, Jonathan, and driving home with a cooler full of froyo. His swirling skills were legendary and he was so passionate about developing the best froyo flavors. He was so dedicated and the froyo was something special. My favorite flavors were Green Tea Tart, Original, Blush, and Pumpkin Tart. I also loved Pineapple Tart, Acai Blueberry Tart, Gingerbread, Mango Tart…the list goes on. Blush Dublin first opened in 2008. It closed in May 2020.

Zoeyogurt, 6900 East Green Lake Way N E, Seattle, WA 98115

The original Zoeyogurt, in Green Lake, closed after nine years in Green Lake (Seattle, WA). I visited once and really liked the cozy atmosphere, cleanliness and froyo texture. The owner, Donna, was an earlier supporter of the International Frozen Yogurt Association and all three Zoeyogurt shops were IFYA Swirl of Honor shops.

Woody’s Yogurt Place, 802 Strawberry Village, Mill Valley, CA 94941

A local institution, Woody’s Yogurt Place was owned by the same family, the Woodsons, since 1998. Another Swirl of Honor shop, Woody’s won numerous “best of” froyo and ice cream awards over the years. Woody’s donated gift certificates to every nearby school for their auctions and fundraisers, hosted free ice cream socials for local schools, and more. Woody’s Yogurt Place closed in January due to the rising cost of rent at Strawberry Village.

Yogurtland Fullerton, 501 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831

Yogurtland #1, the original location, closed in October, a victim of the economic effects of COVID-19. The shop was located near Cal State Fullerton and with students staying at home, business must have been slow. The shop first opened in February 2006 and shared a space with Phillip Chang’s other business, Boba Loca, a bubble tea shop. They offered 16 self-serve, non-fat fro-yo flavors a day and toppings for 30 cents. This was the format that early Yogurtland locations continued to offer during the early years.

 

Yogurtland, 152 Sunset Dr., San Ramon, CA 94583

Sure there are plenty of Yogurtland locations, especially in California, but only a few were my regular spots. Yogurtland San Ramon opened in 2009, back when I used to work in San Ramon. I remember when it first opened. I went there many times, often for lunch with my good friend, S (our regular spots were Yogurtland and Top Dog). I collected many froyo spoons from that location, including the Tokidoki Yogurtland spoons. The pandemic led to the closure. 

Yogurtland, 4960 Telephone Rd, Ste 104, Ventura, CA 93003

This was my regular spot whenever I was in Ventura visiting family. Open from 2013-2020, it was the best option in town. The shop was in the shopping plaza with Barnes & Noble, Kohl’s, and Starbucks.

Farewell, old friends. You are missed.

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.

Original Yogurtland Closes in Fullerton, California

Fro-yo girl here. Devastating news; the original location of Yogurtland on State College Blvd in Fullerton, across from Cal State Fullerton, has closed. On October 26, the following message was posted on FB and Instagram, “It’s been a pleasure to serve you at our original Yogurtland store in Fullerton on State College. Unfortunately, our doors have closed permanently at this location. We invite you to visit our nearby Yogurtland locations at 122 W Orangethorpe Ave (Fullerton), 730 E Imperial Hwy (Brea) and 17486 Yorba Linda Blvd (Yorba Linda). Hope to see you soon!” The note on the door says the location closed due to the "economic effects of COVID-19."

I first visited the original Yogurtland location in 2013 and I wrote about the history of that location at the time.

The location was remodeled in 2008. In 2016, the location was remodeled again. I visited a few times in 2016, for the Nintendo Game On Launch Party and also to try their shaved snow. The shop had already been remodeled when I visited.

I know I visited after 2016 but I can’t remember when. I also drove by and looked at it a few times since 2016. Why wasn’t more done to save and protect this special location???

Thanks to Eric F., for the recent pictures of Yogurtland Fullerton State College. The Yogurtland signs were removed on October 28.

* YOGURTLAND, 501 N State College Blvd, Ste C, Fullerton, CA 92831

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.

The Hidden History of Froyo in Southern California

Photo credit: Marilyn M., Yelp

Fro-yo girl here. Did you know that Yogurtland got its start inside a boba shop in Fullerton? Phillip Chang, Yogurtland’s founder, owned a boba shop called Boba Loca near Cal State Fullerton. In 2006, he added froyo machines. The original location is still a Yogurtland but they no longer serve boba drinks.

When froyo was all the rage in Southern California, you could find frozen yogurt in donut shops, Korean coffee shops, Asian bakeries, boba shops (e.g., It's Boba Time chain) and more. Later, froyo would make its way into restaurants, movie theaters, convenience stores, drug stores, supermarkets, and airports. Many of those places no longer offer froyo, but if you take a close look, you can still see remnants of those froyo days, e.g., cutout walls, old signs, old machines, etc.

AM Donut & Yogurt, 305 W Huntington Dr, Monrovia, CA 91016 

The Google Places description still calls it a donut and frozen yogurt shop, but they no longer carry frozen yogurt. The wall still has cutouts though, 3 of them, for 3 froyo machines. They used to have self-serve froyo from 2011-2013. People still go there looking for froyo since its in the name and on the signs.

Rose Donut & Sandwiches, 6276 Rosemead Blvd, Temple City, CA 91780

Rose Donut added self-serve froyo in 2010 and kept it till 2013 (?). There were 8 flavors day. There’s still a sign for ML Yogurt inside. The owners own Rose Donut & ML Yogurt in Bell, CA.

Cloverleaf Bakery, 9475 Las Tunas Dr, Temple City, CA 91780

Cloverleaf Bakery is an Asian bakery that opened in 2009 with Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt inside. It was self-serve with four machines. They stopped offering froyo in 2011.

Loha’s Fresh Mart, 300 W Main St., Alhambra, CA 91801

Loha’s opened in 2015 with the vision of being a healthy, organic Asian food market. The deli offered bento boxes, salads, fresh soy milk, fresh juice and at one point, organic frozen yogurt. The market closed in late 2019. They had another location in Arcadia that didn’t offer froyo. That location also closed.

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.

Now Testing at Yogurtland: Cone Creations

Fro-yo girl here. I was recently driving around in the OC (Orange County, CA) and I drove by a few Yogurtland locations. The Jeffrey location in Irvine, CA had quite a few test products – all variations of fancy cones that they’re calling Cone Creations. I’ve seen these fancy cones at some soft serve shops and a few froyo shops. They include:

* Cereal cones: These are cake cones. The tops are covered in a marshmallow and cereal mixture like Rice Krispie treats. Different types of cereal are used.

* Taiyaki: These fish shaped waffle cones are filled with froyo.

* Bubble waffles: Hong Kong style egg puffs look like bubble wrap. They are shaped into a cone shape. The frozen yogurt goes in the middle. Like the taiyaki, they require a special waffle iron. 

Meanwhile, the blendable shake that Yogurtland offers has been renamed Blendable Creations. It used to be called Custom Shakes. I spotted it at the Yogurtland in Fullerton, CA, their first location. I first tried it at the Yogurtland in Lakewood, CA.

* YOGURTLAND: 14775 Jeffrey Rd J, Irvine, CA 92618

* YOGURTLAND: 501 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831

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.

A Visit to Yogurtland’s Original Location

Fro-yo girl here. The year: February 2006. The location: Fullerton, CA. Phillip Chang, founder, CEO and president opens the first Yogurtland location in Orange County in a busy shopping center near several high schools and colleges, including Cal State Fullerton. It shared a space with Chang’s other business, Boba Loca, a bubble tea shop. They offered 16 self-serve, non-fat fro-yo flavors a day and toppings for 30 cents. They had plain styrofoam cups at first and then clear plastic cups. The fro-yo machines were lined up but not behind a wall with cutouts.

Though this location’s look would evolve over the years, the basic Yogurtland formula was already there: 16 self-serve fro-yo flavors a day and a low value pricing.

The location was remodeled in 2008. The new look featured a new logo and the now familiar green tiled wall with 8 fro-yo machines. They also brought in new sleeker looking white and orange chairs.

Another logo change occurred in 2009 when the company switched to the current logo. They changed the chairs again, to white and grey ones and brought in small white tables to replace the wood tables.

The original location doesn’t have a special plaque (it should). It’s on the smaller side and the fro-yo and toppings are now 35 cents an ounce.
You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* YOGURTLAND: 501 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831