Frozen Yogurt Trend Comes to Shorewood

Milwaukee and its suburbs have a long history of rich custard desserts. From Kopps to Culvers, the city enjoys its custard.

But, there's new treat in town as of late — frozen yogurt.

Whitefish Bay has two frozen yogurt restaurants, Cherry Berry and Sweet Frog. Other frozen yogurt chains in the Milwaukee area include Froyo Bella at Bayshore, Red Mango in Fox Point, Berry Me on Brady Street, Orange Leaf in Wauwatosa and Waukesha, MyYoMy in Walker's Point and Yo Factory on Farwell.

And, starting in March, Shorewood will get its time in the “froyo” spotlight when Yo Mama! opens up its new store at 4521 N. Oakland Ave., in the new Ravenna development.

“The demographic that Yo Mama! tends to serve is the families and walking communities,” said Becky Berger, owner of the Yo Mama! stores. “That area in Shorewood is exactly the type of community that we feel like Yo Mama! will do well in.”

Yo Mama! has two stores open already, one at 1349 N. Wauwatosa Ave. in Wauwatosa and 2205 N. Calhoun Rd. in Brookfield., and will join Indulgence Chocolatiers, Elements East and Performance Running Outfitters in the Ravenna.  

Frozen yogurt has been very popular on the west coast and has found a niche into the Midwest for reasons that most will be happy with.

“I think the biggest reason it has gained the most popularity is, first of all, it’s more healthy for you and it’s still a dessert,” Berger said. “Also, the self-service model, rather than the full service model, where people can come in and can control their portion size and create their own dessert.”

The main health benefit that Berger alludes to is probiotics; bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines.

This means that probiotics help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system.

With the health benefits and the customer control of the product, it is no wonder the frozen yogurt trend is rising. Shorewood residents will get to decide for themselves if the product is worth the hype.

As for Berger, the kids are the reason she loves what she does.

“They come in and they are so happy and excited to be there,” she said. “I get so many stories from parents saying that their kids want to go there for their birthday, or whatever it is, and that is definitely a reason to get up and go to work.”