Yogurt shop specializes in unique flavors, improved health

VIRGINIA BEACH

The first time Won Do tasted frozen yogurt, he was fascinated by its flavor. Now he eats it several times a day at his newly opened yogurt café, Yo Mama.

“I never tasted anything like it before. It has a really refreshing aftertaste,” said Do, 36, who visited his brother-in-law’s frozen yogurt shop in Florida and looked into the franchises of Red Mango and Pinkberry before creating his own tart-flavored frozen yogurt.

That was only part of the journey that led Do and his wife, Yooni, to open Yo Mama, specializing in healthy, probiotic frozen yogurt. A sign at the store states that probiotics are active ingredients found in some yogurts with health benefits that include improved digestion.

Opened June 29 in Brenneman Farm Shopping Center, Yo Mama not only gives Do a chance to share his love of yogurt with others, but also to connect with the community, support faith-based and nonreligious charities and mission trips.

As a full-time pastor at the Tidewater Korean Baptist Church in charge of the English-speaking congregation, Do found himself spending a lot of time within the church.

“The nature of the church is to make a difference and interact in the community,” said Do, who was born in Korea and immigrated to Newport News at the age of 10.

The Dos and their children, Noah, 7, and Remi, 20 months, reside in New Castle. “It’s exactly 3 miles to church and 3 miles to our house,” said Do noting the importance of the cafe’s location.

Rather than buy into a franchise, the Dos wanted to create their own inviting store. After a year of research, the trendy named store with bright interior walls, cozy seating areas, five self-serve machines and more than 50 toppings was churned out.

A variety of 10 rotating flavors – all made from Dannon nonfat plain yogurt – including vanilla, chocolate, plain tart, watermelon, peach, mango, raspberry, strawberry and green apple are offered daily.

The toppings, both cold and dry, include cookie dough, cantaloupe, butterscotch chips, cheesecake brownie, Oreo, trail mix, waffle wafers and more.

“We wanted to offer people a healthy alternative to ice cream,” said Do stressing that Yo Mama’s yogurt is 27 calories per ounce.

Regular customers, such as 17-year-old Virginia Lee and 16-year-old Victoria Li, have already become hooked on the yogurt. “It’s delicious,” said Virginia, of Fairfield, who stopped by for the third day in a row.

“It’s tart, fruity and the toppings are fresher,” said Victoria, of Larkspur, in between licks of the peach yogurt.

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net