Yogurtopia Opens Location in Dearborn

Just in time for warmer weather, a new frozen yogurt shop is open downtown. Yogurtopia debuted its first Dearborn shop on Michigan Avenue on Friday.

"I think we're going to be a hit," owner Sam Abbas said. "People have been stopping by every week for the past month and asking us when we're opening."

The Dearborn store is the fourth location for Abbas, who also oversees operations at three shops in Arizona, and one licensed location in California. The company itself debuted in 2010. Abbas said the store employs about 16 people, with plans to add six more in the coming months.

Work has been progressing on the property since January. Abbas, a former resident of Dearborn, said that he had been looking at locations along Michigan Avenue for over two years.

"I always knew that I wanted to come back to Dearborn," he said. "We've been dealing with tremendous building ownership issues, but we're finally open and we're excited."

Yogurtopia's self-serve frozen yogurt experience includes 16 flavors on tap at all times (with a total selection of 150 flavors that will rotate), and a condiment bar with 60 individual toppings. Customers choose the amount of frozen yogurt and pay by weight.

In addition, homemade cheesecake, brownies, cookies, gourmet cupcakes, cake pops, fruit smoothies, and a dessert crepe menu are also available.

"We cater to every diet — sugar free, gluten free, and dairy free," Abbas said. "We're also very aware that our customers want to know what they are eating, so we have all of the nutritional facts displayed on boards in the shop."

The store itself is designed to attract families and younger college crowds, with tables for studying, a fireplace, a lounge area, and a full service coffee bar.

While he acknowledges the recent opening of Yogurtown in west Dearborn, Abbas said having a self-serve yogurt shop nearby is good for the market.

"Having been in the business for three years, we've been able to perfect our product, and we know which toppings and flavors move the quickest," he said. "The array of options you can get here keeps us competitive."

In addition to Dearborn, Abbas said he is currently exploring adding other locations across Michigan.

"My long-term goal is to have a Yogurtopia in every college town," he said. "We take a lot of pride in what we do, and our success reflects that."

Yogurtopia is currently open weekdays until 10 p.m., and weekends until 11 p.m. The store has not determined its opening hours, but Abbas said it will open daily no later than 11 a.m.

"We're experimenting with our hours to determine the best times to be open," he said. "In the coming weeks we should have firm hours of operation posted."

Abbas said customers can follow the company's updates by "liking" its Facebook page, or call 313-791-7158. 

Yogurtopia is located at 1000 S. Military St.