YoBro debuts in Brookline Village

After much anticipation, fueled in part by the cheeky sign in the window reading, “Chill Out, We’re Coming Soon!” YoBro is now open for business.

The “weigh and pay” system at is similar to that of other Brookline frozen yogurt businesses, Chill in Cleveland Circle and Berry Freeze in Coolidge Corner. Customers dispense yogurt flavor(s) in the amount they want and then choose whatever toppings they like—or none at all. The total cost is based on the final weight of the dish, rather than its specific contents.  

What sets YoBro apart is the locally sourced Greek yogurt they use from Sophia’s Greek Pantry in Belmont and what one Yelp reviewer calls the Starbuck’s feel, referring to the “comfortable seating, TV, free Wi-Fi, music, and great coffee, too.”

Austin Segal, 19, opened the business with his dad, Scott Segal, an entrepreneur who also happens to be an anesthesiologist at Tufts Medical Center.

This is not Austin’s first foray in food services, however.  A graduate of Austin served as “executive chef” at the school’s Restaurant 108 program.

Austin says he has enjoyed making the business decisions for YoBro, especially designing the store layout, logo, and color scheme.  He credits his family for their help, explaining his sister and mom have been involved, and especially his father, who is a partner in the business.

The Cypress Street location of YoBro was selected due to its proximity to Brookline High School and because of the residential neighborhood the shop sits in at the edge of North Brookline.

“There is nothing on this side of Rt. 9, and nothing within walking distance to the high school,” the younger Segal said.

In addition to six rotating flavors of frozen Greek yogurt, YoBro also serves muffins, coffee cakes and other breakfast treats, all made locally at Sugar Bakery in West Roxbury. 

The coffee served starting at 7AM each day is Fazenda, locally roasted in Needham, and also served at the Elephant Walk and La Morra among other area restaurants. 

The topping bar is vast and includes the expected—Reece’s Pieces, Butterfinger, Snickers, chocolate chips, Oreos, cookie dough, peanut butter cups—alongside the unexpected; mochi (Japenese rice-based treats), shredded coconut, Captain Crunch cereal, hazelnuts, graham cracker crumbs, and cinnamon streusel. Fresh and previously frozen fruit toppings are also available.

Yo Bro opened June 16^th and Austin Segal says things are going well. 

Entering his sophomore year at Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Segal is excited to be opening his first business and is in the process of training a new general manger who will take over once school starts again in the Fall.

As for the shop’s name, Austin explained, “There is SoBro (South Brookline), NoBro (North Brookline) and now YoBro.”

Must be a high school thing.

YoBro is located at 141 Cypress Street, Brookline, MA.

Phone: 617-879-0649. 

Hours: Mon - Thurs,7AM-11PM; Fri.,7AM-Midnight; Sat 10:30AM-Midnight; Sunday, 11:30AM to 11:30PM.