Charlotte's frozen yogurt scene is still booming, with a new self-serve location opening soon in Dilworth.
Two local frozen yogurt newbies, Tara Hubara and Erik Giles, are behind the new Menchie's franchise at Kenilworth Avenue and East Boulevard. The colorful shop will be North Carolina's first Menchie's, adding to a slew of fro-yo joints that have opened here in the past several years, including Tasty-Yo, Pinkberry, TCBY, The Frozen Isle and Yoforia.
"There has certainly been a rebirth of frozen yogurt," said Hubara, whose day job is doing human resources work at her husband's appliance company. She thinks that there's still room in the marketplace, and that Menchie's unique features - a party room, a patio, a fireplace and even a mascot - will set it apart.
Before Menchie's, her work experience had "nothing to do with frozen yogurt whatsoever." She met Giles, who owns a computer consulting company in Charlotte, when they both independently approached Menchie's about opening a franchise. For now, they'll keep their day jobs as they get the business off the ground.
Giles said he still enjoys his consulting business, but was looking to do something "that gives people smiles on their faces more than IT." And his kids go nuts for self-serve frozen yogurt, so Giles figured that would be a business that would allow him to spend quality time with them.
The store is still being outfitted, although the colorful name and logo are in place out front. They're planning a soft opening for friends and family sometime next week. A grand opening will follow soon after, but the date hasn't been set.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
More fro-yo headed to East Boulevard
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24 comments:
Great! People can enjoy their fro-yo while listening to the hideous church bell music blaring down the street.
Frozen Yogurt is great, but i have to wonder how long this fad will last, peeps are good for a couple $5 cups ($20 for a fam of 4), then no more - question what is the over/under on the article declaring fro yo shops "hard hit" by the recession that has been with us since 2008?
If I'm paying for it, the least they could do is put it in a cup for me.
I for one, can't wait!! I visited the Menchie's in ATL and was blown away!! Cool place!
Fro-Yo® will be the name of my West Side yogurt shop.
We have been at the Menchie's in Savannah and another fro-yo shop in California, but Menchies was far better quality. Menchie's is fun, feel good and my kids loved making their own.
How exciting!! However, very concerned about the parking situation. I live close by but rarely hit places on that corner because there simply is no convenient way/place to park. I've had to leave that Harris Teeter parking lot before because of ZERO spaces. That garage there gets packed frequently as well.
Menchies is the BEST by far! Can't wait. See ya later TCBY, Yoforia and Orange Leaf...
I'm tired of franchises...Charlotteans need to focus on our local economy...Menchie's will simply be deviating their profits to the headquarters which is certainly not located here in Charlotte. I wish everyone would focus on buying local. Tasty Yo is the only yogurt shop here who is local. I met the family about a week ago and I will not go anywhere else. They have amazing yogurt and they are not self serve...which my husband and I truly love. Having contracted MRSA a couple of years ago, I can only imagine what can be found on the self serve toppings and machines that are constantly being contaminated by customers.
I realize this comment is really long...but to sum it up, if you're a Charlottean please buy local and if you love yogurt you must try Tasty Yo.
Tried the fro-yo place in SouthPark and was very disappointed. Nasty stuff. McDonald's cones are better than that. I'll stick to real ice cream that is nice and creamy and flavorful and doesn't cost $5, thank you very much. I think this fad will die a quick death.
Recently moved here from TN. I became a regular of the Knoxville Menchie's and can tell you that they pride themselves on local involvement through school sponsorships and fundraisers.
I live 80 miles from Annapolis, Md. and every time we're in the area, we go to Menchie's. Lots of great choices, including fresh fruit, and you can make it just the way you like it. Wish there was one closer.
In response to the reader stating that "Charlotteans need to focus on our local economy":
As one of the owners, I can assure you we have taken measures to enhance the local community. We are giving 15 Charlotteans jobs at our store, we have put numerous local plumbers, electricians and other skilled men to work through our store build out, we are ordering our fruit toppings from a local produce company, and we have partnered with a MAJOR local charity to share our proceeds with from our Grand Opening Weekend. This is just the beginning of how Menchie's will help Dilowrth and Charlotte .
Thank you to all who are looking forward to our arrival!
Sorry, but you're still another chain. Thankfully, some folks in this town have been waking up to the fact that corporate chains are just lame.
And I agree with Anonymous above. Tasty Yo is the real deal.
PLEASE OPEN SOON!! I need a Menchie's Fix ASAP!!
I can't wait for u guys being open!! I love your Frozen
Yogurt!!
Tasty Yo isn't even open on Monday's (so I can never go there after softball practice) and they are SLOW!! Menchie's in Charleston rocks! I can't wait to have our on here in Charlotte...please open in the Ballantyne/Blakeney are too :)
Tasty Yo is not open on Mondays because it is ran by a Charlotte family who deserves a day off. This family is a close friend of mine, and they feel that a day to tend the stores, re-stock, and spend time focusing on family is essential to properly run a successful FAMILY OWNED business.
However, they offer pints to go all week long to make up for them being closed. So you could plan ahead and purchase a pint on Sunday and have it be waiting for you when you get home from softball!
-Liz
I moved to CLT from California 6 months ago and have yet to find a fro yo place in town that can compete with the offerings of the west coast! I was a regular of the Menchie's in Culver City (LA) and the Valley Village location.....and I am STOKED that they are opening here. They are such a nice company, regularly holding charity fund raising events and sponsoring community related stuff. I don't understand why you people want to hate on them,,,,,,if you're "tasty yo" is so fab then you shouldn't be worried about them coming to town.
To "TL Hubara": I CANNOT WAIT FOR MENCHIE'S to land in my back yard!! Love you guys already!!!!!!
Any of you negative commenters have clearly NEVER been to a Menchies! All other yogurt places are definitely POSERS! Menchies is VERY affordable, gives back to the community regularly and is SOOO much better than the competition. You will be won over on your first visit. I for one, am SOO excited! I have been to Menchies in other states, going well out of my way just because of the amazing quality and consistency of this place.
Sure, I'll try it. So far, though, Yoforia has my vote. I like a more crystalized yogurt, and TCBY is too creamy and Pinkberry was too tart overall.
Some of these comments crack me up. We moved to Dilworth from Los Angeles and frozen yogurt shops have been on every corner in LA for the last twenty years there, so no, I don't think it is a fad. And who is the hater complaining about the gorgeous church bells? We live down the street and love them! I am excited for Menchie's to open. Great addition to the neighborhood!
All of you people need to get a life. A small Business is small regardless if it's a franchise.
There is enough room for everyone in Charlotte.
As for Parking, that's a Perception!! There are never
Any parking issues, as for the garage?? That's
Not even for Harris teeter. Maybe you should
Check facts before posting on here. Really
People. And all of you people talking shop
Local are the first people running to the mall
When there is a sale. So shut up!!!
Welcome to Dilworth Menchies!!! Don't worry
About the haters!!
To everyone who commented, Thanks for the laugh. Last time I visited Charlotte I had Yoforia and have been craving it ever since. I've never had soft serve like that before and miss it. Wish they had it in Pensacola, FL. I had one of the larger cups and I didn't feel like crap afer eating it. I still felt pretty light on my feet. As for Menchies, I've never tried it but if they say it's better, I sure would like too.
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