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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
Ten-year-old Kyle Reed of Dallas adds some gummy worms to his frozen yogurt Monday at the new Limeberry location on East Ellendale Avenue.
July 24, 2012
DALLAS -- The new Limeberry location on East Ellendale Avenue in Dallas had great timing for its opening at the beginning of July.
"It was the first really hot day of the year," said co-owner Wayne Ensey. "It was perfect."
After weeks of anticipating warmer weather, the sun finally broke through the week of July 1 and Limeberry, which offers self-serve frozen yogurt, opened the evening of July 6.
Ensey, who co-owns two other Limeberry locations in Albany and Lebanon, said this was the best opening he's seen so far. It confirmed the owners' belief that Dallas would be an ideal place to build a franchise.
"We were looking for towns that didn't have anything like this that were nice towns," Ensey said. "Dallas really fit the bill."
The self-serve frozen yogurt model has become increasingly popular in recent years, with several locations opening in the local area, including shops in Independence and West Salem.
Customers are allowed to create their own treat, selecting from up to 15 frozen yogurt flavors and a variety of toppings, including sauces, cookies, candy and fresh fruit. Prices are based on weight.
Dallas' Limeberry rotates its yogurt flavors frequently and features about 90 toppings.
Ensey said there are a few surprises when it comes to what people select when making their own dessert.
Cake batter yogurt is by far the most popular flavor, followed by vanilla and chocolate. Fresh strawberries are popular now -- but one of most consistent sellers throughout the year -- believe it or not -- are sour gummy worms.
For Ensey's taste, though, there's nothing better than classic chocolate.
"If I go in and we have chocolate and Irish mint, I don't even have to think, I just get it," he said. "I like chocolate."
Ensey said he got into the self-serve yogurt business about two years ago after his business partner, Terry Phillips, opened a location in south Salem.
"He started it and it went really well, so I was definitely interested," he said.
Ensey said, so far, self-serve yogurt has proven popular in Dallas, too.
"It's gone really well ... better than we expected," Ensey said. "Part of it, I think, is that there is nothing quite like it in Dallas."
He said as soon as customers got the idea of how self-serve worked they started telling their family and friends about it instantaneously via text messages and Facebook.
"It spreads like wild fire," Ensey said. "It's a very cool thing."
Tasty Treat
What: Limeberry.
Where: 109 E. Ellendale Ave., in the former American Family Video location.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Of note: Nondairy, gluten-free and no-sugar-added yogurt varieties are available.
For more information: 503-623-3655.
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