Yogurt shop offers self-serve twist

Richard Tedesco

Twister Yogurt Shop is a new frozen yogurt in Garden City Park that has a novel twist as a self-serve store.

The frozen yogurt shop that opened last week at 2345 Jericho Turnpike offers 16 flavors and more than 40 toppings for 49 cents per ounce. Customers operate the machines to fill their yogurt cups and then select from the toppings at the front of the store.

“It’s become very popular,” said Pnina Zmora, a partner in the business with her husband Ziv.

The two Israeli emigrees have lived in Great Neck since 1988 and have been working in the real estate business in Queens prior to opening the yogurt store.

Pnina credits Ziv with coming up with the idea for the store. They saw self-serve yogurt stores like theirs while visiting Los Angeles and decided it was a simple concept to implement.

“It’s relatively easy to operate. You don’t need a background in the restaurant business,” Pnina said.

Ziv Zmora said he liked the healthy aspect of the product their offering and thought the self-serve business has a fresh appeal.

“I wanted people to have a very good dessert that’s healthy,” he said. “I think that’s the new thing. People can put together whatever yogurt and toppings they want.”

He said he chose the Garden City Park location, near the intersection of Jericho and Nassau Boulevard, because of its high visibility and the traffic in the area.

The Zmoras are planning to expand the product offerings in the store, with frozen yogurt cakes and sandwiches to be added to the menu. Two flavors of the 16 flavors offered in the store will be changed out every two weeks, with two new flavors introduced in a regular rotation.

The partners said they’re also looking to open a few more locations, but haven’t decided on where their next move will be.

Wherever they go next, the operation is likely to remain a family business, with their twin daughters, Paz and Karen, involved as employees in the current location.

A grand opening is planned for Friday, with frozen yogurt discounted at 39 cents per ounce and live music at the event. 

Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.

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