Sweet Pete’s frozen yogurt closes
The toppings bar at Sweet Pete’s. Roanoke Times file photo
One of several frozen yogurts shops to pop up over the past two years has closed.
Sweet Pete’s, at Ridgewood Farms Shopping Center in Salem, is closed.
Owner Rick Klein said he believes the shop, near LewisGale Medical Center, was in a bad location.
“I think it was that people in Salem don’t consider it Salem,” he said. “Unless they have to go to the hospital, they don’t come that way.”
He also blamed the economy, saying that even if consumers have some disposable income, they are more likely to spend it eating dinner out, rather than getting a dessert.
Klein said competition from other frozen yogurt shops “has nothing to do with the closing.”
Sweet Pete’s opened in October 2011 and was one of several frozen yogurt shops to open in the past two years. It was one of just a few independently owned shops. Franchises such as Sweet Frog, Menchie’s and Bloop have also opened stores.
I have been trying to get in touch with the proprietor of the BTO frozen yogurt shop that is opening in Salem. The corporate office tells me the owner of the Salem store is the same man who owns the BTO in Radford, which opened long before frozen yogurt shops made their debut in Roanoke. I’ll post information about the Salem BTO store when I have an update.
January 28, 2013 - 12:00 PM
That is too bad, Sweet Pete’s was the best frozen yogurt.
Another closing- Baja Bistro (on 419) has closed. I will miss them as well.
The law of supply and demand at work, too much supply and not enough demand!
We visited their shop several times within the past 1.5 years and loved it every time! I’m a topping gal, and they had the most variety/best in town. Really sorry to see it close.
I knew it was only a matter of time before Baja Bistro closed once Chipotle came to town.
I don’t think we’ll ever have an economy that can support the sort of frogurt market saturation we have in this area.
I’m hearing Baja is moving location. However if they are closed that’s awful news.
Baja Bistro will be simply relocating due to their building manager not resigning the lease. Get your facts straight, Greg.
When did Baja Bistro close? I was in there Saturday night and the restaurant was completely full?
Baja was better than Chipotle and you did not have to pay more for chips and salsa. Where are they relocating to?
First of many Frozen Yogurt to close….. It is a diluted market now.
#8- Sunday was their last day. They said they want to relocate but have not found a new location. Baja is 10 times better then Chipotle, after all the build-up on Chipotle I was extremely disappointed I got a steak taco, the meat was like chewing old shoes. And they charge for chips???
The owner of Sweet Pete’s was very friendly and our family enjoyed the store, location, and product. Sorry business did not work out.
Sweet Pete’s was awesome! Too bad they didn’t make it. Hoping Baja finds a new location soon. Doubt Chipolte had much to do with it. Baja just couldn’t stay in their current location. Went to Chipolte when they first opened and went back just last week (only because someone gave me a gift card). It was not good at all! Baja had so many more choices and as others have said the chips were included. We miss you Baja, hurry back!
Sweet Pete’s was GREAT. But there was infighting among the owners and the partnership split up.
skibum I didn’t say Baja was closing RM did. I was commenting on his statement. My comment was based on the fact the last time I was there it was empty. I’m glad they are just moving, the people seem really nice. You might want to read all the comments next time before mouthing off.
That excuse for the closing is ridiculous. People in Salem do, in fact, drive on 419. There’s definitely too much frozen yogurt in the valley these days.
Facts:
If you want to say Salem, you better be downtown or out west main st.
Baja is better than Chipotle.
Yogurt is silly
Oh, I’m sorry Greg.. when I read “I knew it was only a matter of time before Baja Bistro closed once Chipotle came to town.” with your name after it, I attributed that comment to you. Silly me, using logic.
Fact:
When using the term fact it’s best to stick to actual facts. 1 + 1 = 2 is a fact. My mama’s cooking is better than your mama’s is an opinion. Everybody has one of those don’t you know!
Chopotle way better then Baja. Second time they have closed. Service and food poor. They should hve stayed in Salem. Now it is costing them!!
Lots more news out there on how JC Penney continues to implode. I wonder how many will be lining up to buy their cheap clothing now, since it’s going ‘on sale’? Just think how horrible the quality must be if the cheap t-shirt you used to pay $11 for, that now has the ‘everyday low price’ of $7, and is now going on sale for $4? That’s some quality merchandise that is certain to improve JCP’s profit margin. Oh yeah, all those cheerleading these moves a year ago? How many times have they had to buy another $7 t-shirt to replace the one they bought last March? How about all the JCP employees who lost their jobs? JCP continues to swirl downward towards extinction…
Chris, judging from other comments on this blog you are in the minority. Baja had better selection, better food and way better service.
@crooked road: I saw that news yesterday. Thought it might be worth a post.
Somebody has an obsession with JCP. Let it go already!
Grapevine is telling me that Valley Bank is in talks with a brewery/restaurant for at least part of the old Ukrops. We shall see. That place has sat empty for WAY too long.
Well RM no need to worry they gone now and not likely coming back! Get yourself over to Choptle and give them a try.
@Bryan: Interesting. I will call the bank and see if they will say anything. It is unlikely they will unless the deal has been finalized, but it is always worth asking.
Great! just what this valley needs another brewery and restaurant!! Although tired of seeing that property sit. Hopefully a developer will get hold of it soon!!
cr, I’ll buy my shirts and slacks at Goodwill for $3.75 a pop…most times they are brand names like Izod, Lands End, and Van Heusen and so far, of what I’ve bought, they’ve lasted nicely because they were close to new when I got them. I just can’t see dropping big money on clothing any more given what I’ve been able to scout at thrift shops.
Amanda – did the “Generations” medical uniform supply store (next to Sweet Pete’s) close also? It was owned by the same folks…
Are there no innovative restaranteurs in this valley? How many more brewery/restaurantes do we need!
@Wilson Weaver: Yes, it closed too.
@debbie how many brewery/restaurants do we have in Roanoke? I can count one, growlers. There is a market, whether you agree or not.
No surprise–there are too many frozen yogurt shops for our small city to support in my opinion.