Iconic Frozen Yogurt Shops: East Coast

We wanted to the feature iconic frozen yogurt shops of the East Coast, the ones that are still swirling today. After all, frozen yogurt was invented in New England. Also, the world’s oldest frozen yogurt chain, Everything Yogurt, got its start in New York in 1976. The frozen yogurt during the first wave of frozen yogurt was seen as a low-calorie substitute for ice cream.

The Forty Carrots menu at Bloomingdale’s NYC flagship (1000 3rd Ave., New York, NY, 10022) says “over 40 years ago, Forty Carrots introduced frozen yogurt to New York City.” They still serve the same yogurt that was served when they opened in 1975. Forty Carrots appealed to the fashion conscious and they still have the most fashionable froyo Instagram account, @fortycarrots. Frozen yogurt is the restaurant’s #1 selling item.

Ray’s Candy Store (113 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009) sounds and looks too crazy to be true. First, it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Second, the original owner, Ray Alvarez, can still be found at the shop – and the shop has been open in the East Village since 1974. He lives above the shop so he’s almost always there. While it’s called a candy store, Ray’s also has frozen yogurt, shakes, egg creams, beignets, fries, hot dogs, fried Oreos and a lot more.

Hewlett Station Yogurt (1213 Station Plaza, Hewlett, NY 11557) has been serving Long Island since 1991. Hewlett Station Yogurt is known for their Hewlees, a combination of yogurt with different mix-ins and toppings, mixed together. The lines are still long, especially on buy one, get one free days, Tuesdays and Saturdays. Thanks to the Hewlee Truck, they’re now mobile.

Truly Yogurt (35 Grove St., Wellesley, MA 02482) has been under the same ownership since it started in 1992. Truly Yogurt is a local favorite that serves quality frozen yogurt and ice cream. They celebrated their 25th anniversary this year. Owner Gary Goldman estimates that they’ve served over 1.5 million customers.

Zack’s Famous Frozen Yogurt (60 Access Rd., Stratford, CT 06615) has multiple locations. The one in Stratford, CT, opened 26 years ago. They serve cones, shakes, pies, shakes, banana splits and more.

Yogurt Pump (106 W Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC, 27516), known affectionately as YoPo, has been swirling in Chapel Hill since 1982. They are known for their flavors, which are developed in-house. “While many others have come and gone, YoPo is a true Franklin Street institution, voted “Carolina’s Finest” in its class for thirteen consecutive years.”

Did we miss any iconic East Coast froyo shops? Let us know at info@internationalfrozenyogurt.com