Pinkberry Opens Clarendon Store with a Brrr

As it turns out, 35 minutes is a perfectly acceptable wait for free frozen yogurt.

Eve Radin and Janelle Knott, both of Clarendon and both big fans of the frozen yogurt craze, waited that long Thursday night for free servings at the new Pinkberry location on Fillmore Street at Clarendon Boulevard. The two friends go for yogurt about once a month, and say they will definitely be back for more.

"I think (Pinkberry) is the best," Radin said.

The store handed out free yogurt from 6 to 10 p.m. to hype Friday's opening, though the line started forming around 5 -- eventually wrapping around the corner of the block.

Founded in 2005 in California, Pinkberry is sometimes credited with starting the frozen yogurt sensation to which shops like TangySweet, YogenFruz and Mr. Yogato now belong.

With locations in Fairfax and on Dupont Circle in Washington, Pinkberry is taking advantage of the growing restaurant scene and vibrant nightlife in Clarendon. Pinkberry will be open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The new location is right around the corner from , Clarendon's resident frozen yogurt spot.

My-anh Nguyen, who lives nearby, is a big fan of Red Mango and Iceberry, but found her original flavor yogurt at Pinkberry sweeter because of the price.

"Today was free, so it was really good," Nguyen said.

Pinkberry store manager Chris Morse said he's appreciative of the competition.

"Other yogurt places have helped us step up our game and increase our stanadards," Morse said. "We're more than happy to be neighbors."

The new store officially opens at 11 a.m. Friday with a wide range of flavors and toppings.