New Urbandale Store Joins Frozen Yogurt Bandwagon

Wedding Cake. Red Velvet. Snickerdoodle. Brownie Batter.

The most popular flavors at Urbandale's newest dessert shop - - are those that are flavored with powdered cake mixes, said Hannah Grapp, a shift leader at the shop that opened Nov. 2.

Long-time Urbandale residents Jim and Cathy Strutzenberg are Orange Leaf franchise owners and opened one a month ago in West Des Moines.

The stores have competition: Urbandale also has a store at 3816 100th St. and several frozen yogurt shops recently opened in the metro area. Although frozen yogurt isn't a new product, self-serve yogurt shops have been a hot trend across the country in 2011, said Melynda LeBlanc, the general manager of the Urbandale store.

LeBlanc said the Orange Leaf at 4650 86th St. attracts a lot of teenagers as well as all ages, so it's open until 10 p.m. on school nights and until 11 p.m. on weekend nights.

"A lot of our demographic is high schoolers, so right after basketball games, football games, baseball games, would be peak periods," said Grapp.

A perky orange, green and white modern decor welcomes patrons. The cost is 45 cents per ounce for the treat, and patrons serve themselves. 

LeBlanc said the franchise tries to distinguish itself from other yogurt shops by trying to create an environment that is comfortable to hang out in. There are two flat-screen TVs, music and free wi-fi.

The store boasts a choice of 16 flavors at a time and an array of fruit and other toppings. The yogurt, made with low-fat milk, is a healthier choice and about half the calories and sugar of regular ice cream, Grapp said.

Her husband, Andrew Grapp is a manager at the West Des Moines and he says the store encourages people to try making their own flavor combinations. Mango and Cotton Candy became a popular mix after they were placed side-by-side.

“Now it’s super popular,” Grapp said. “It’s like a refreshing cotton candy.”