Retail Roundup: Another Frozen Yogurt Shop to open in Roanoke
In the Retail Roundup column Sunday, I wrote about the opening of another self-serve frozen yogurt shop opening at the Towne Center Shopping center in Roanoke.
Roanoke now has at least six frozen yogurt shops throughout the city. And there’s more to come.
Have you visited a frozen yogurt shop lately? If you’re a regular customer what keeps you going back? Do you think the city can support this many frozen yogurt shops?
The trend is not just local. Frozen yogurt shops are popping up every where. Between the fall of 2010 and the fall of 2011, the number of retail frozen yogurt shops in this country increased by 31 percent from 3,624 to 4,765, according to an article in U.S. News Health.
Sales re
ported by frozen dessert shops are at about $6 billion per year, but “consumers have just shifted from ice cream to frozen yogurt,” according to an executive of the food research and consulting firm Technomic
And frozen yogurt shops have experienced some of the highest growth of any of the chains the firm tracks.
There’s more information about the frozen yogurt trend here.
Second Sweet Frog to open at Towne Square in Roanoke
The second Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt store in Roanoke is scheduled to open the second week of October at Towne Square Shopping Center
It will be operated by Steve Hillis, who opened Roanoke’s first Sweet Frog store at Towers Shopping Center in September 2011 with his wife.
Hillis said he plans to open more Sweet Frogs in the area. Sweet Frog also has locations in Christiansburg and Blacksburg.
Sweet Frog was founded on the principles of Christianity, according to the company website. “Frog” in “Sweet Frog” stands for “Fully Rely On God.” The chain of self-serve yogurt shops opened up in Richmond in 2009 and now has more than 100 stores around the country and one in South Korea.
This Sweet Frog location marks at least the sixth frozen yogurt shop in the Roanoke Valley.
October 1, 2012 - 8:00 AM
My family & I frequent froyo shops a lot. It’s a fun treat for my 3 year old (and myself) and I love that I can get him a sugar free dessert. We live right in the middle of them all but tend to frequent Menchie’s the most. I love their Menchie’s card because it allows us to get free froyo. I’m not sure the area can support the many shops in SW Roanoke but so far, it looks like they are. We’ll see who survives the winter though…
I’ve been several times to Sweet Frog at Towers and it was a good experience. However, I don’t see Roanoke supporting this many frozen yogurt concepts for very long. What will hold them over through the winter months? I’m more of a Pop’s in Grandin kind of girl anyway
What’s going on with Naticakes in Bonsack? I haven’t seen much being done to that location.
This has nothing to do with frozen yogurt, but WHEN will the Roanoke Weiner stand re-open and WHERE?
Thanks.
The Sweet Frog in Christiansburg has been packed every time I’ve gone there (which is usually for a treat in the evening). But then we don’t have the froyo density of Roanoke.
I received a wine dinner email announcement from Horizon restaurant this morning that included a message that they were closing at the end of the year. I’m sorry to hear this!
The weiner stand will be next to the Science Museum, very close to the former location.
Hi Kathy, Lindsey Nair wrote about Horizon’s closing here on the Fridge Magnet blog.
I thought the Weiner stand was supposed to be re-opened by now.
Sorry to hear Horizons is going. Another nice place closes!! What a shame. Thelmas should be next. Terrible!!
Any word on the frozen yogurt place that is supposed to open on Main Street in Salem? It is a Bloop correct? There has been no activity in the proposed location since the previous shop closed.
Chris,Thelma’s is not what it used to be,at least IMNSHO.
If it closes it is because they needed to be closed.
Gloria.
Never been then and do not plan to ever go. Walked in one time and the place had a smell that made me never want to set foot in again. Wish they were closed instead of Horizons but agree with you they will be next. They should have stayed where they were. Not a good fit for them on the market and this will cost them in the future.
I am confused! Your article says that the Sweet Frog that is opening in Townes Square will be operated by the owner of the Sweet Frog at Towers but he has posted several times on Facebook that the new yogurt shop will NOT be operated by them! Did you have your facts wrong?
Hi Mary, I interviewed the owner of Sweet Frog at Towers and he explained that he would be operating the new store at Towne Square. Something must have changed since I last spoke with him. I will see if there has been a change in ownership. Thank you for your comment. – Sheila
Thanks Sheila! Looking forward to any news you may have. I personally would prefer if a different owner operates the Sweet Frog at Towne Square since I have heard that the owner at Towers can be very unpleasant, specially when customers ask to try their flavors. For what I have heard, he only allows customers to try ONE and ONLY ONE FLAVOR. I have been to many Sweet Frogs (Lynchburg, Daleville, Christiansburg amongh others )and they are super friendly and give customers a sample cup so you can try ANY of their flavors. Have you heard anything about that? Any comments? Thanks again!