Sweet Frog Hops in to Montville Commons

The wait for delicious and healthy frozen yogurt at the Montville Commons Shopping Center will soon be over thanks to Sweet Frog.

The new frozen yogurt shop will add even more variety to a plaza that has anything from groceries to home improvement supplies and an optometrist to a restaurant/bar.

Walls have been painted neon blue, pink, and green wile bright white lights shine in the new 1,500-square-foot shop which has been under construction since November.

Owner Tammy LaPenta and her niece, Store Manager Grace Kelley, slowly walked through the store on March 4 as construction workers finished the baseboard and trim, installed wall-mounted and ceiling-suspended signs, and installed inserts for the frozen yogurt machines.

Soon finishing touches will be done which will setup 14 tables with three seats each along with a couch, fireplace, and a television.

Opening

LaPenta hopes to open up Montville’s first frozen yogurt shop on Thursday, March 13. The opening will be announced on the store’s Facebook page “Sweet Frog Montville, CT” along with signs and balloons in front of the store.

Sweet Frog’s mascots, Cookie (boy), and Scoop (girl), will walk around the plaza’s 15 tenants to inform shoppers that the frozen yogurt shop, nestled between Stop and Shop and Hair Cuttery, is now open.

“We are very excited to be part of the community,” LaPenta said, adding that the mascots will be at fundraisers, birthday parties, schools, games, parades, and visit sick people.

While the store will have a soft opening at first, a grand opening is anticipated in April. 

About Sweet Frog

LaPenta got involved with Sweet Frog after her friend had success at her Tolland store. She drove to different potential locations but chose the Montville location because of its proximity to Rhode Island.

“I love the company, It’s a good franchise to work for,” LaPenta said.

Flavors

LaPenta pointed at the eight frozen yogurt machines, still wrapped in plastic, with three levers which will dispense two flavors.

While the store will always have at least 16 flavors, some flavors will have a twist.

For example, one machine could have white vanilla and orange making the middle level creamsicle and another machine could have peanut butter and berry with the middle level being peanut butter and jelly.

“We will always offer two no-sugar added flavors, two sorbets that are dairy-free, along with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry,” LaPenta said, adding that many flavors will be gluten-free.

The shop is expected to have at least one custard such as Creme Brûlée or Banana Cream Pie. 

Exotic flavors could include Salted Carmel Pretzel and Chocolate Carmel Turtle.

The shop will even take flavor requests from customers.

“There is something for everybody,” LaPenta said, adding that all frozen yogurt options are either low-fat or no fat and have less calories than ice cream.

When the shop opens, Irish Mint will featured as a seasonal flavor to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day while summer flavors will include Pink Lemonade, Cotton Candy, and Watermelon. Fall flavors will include Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie.

There will be at least 50 toppings including five to seven fresh fruits everyday.

While types of fruits will be dependent on the season and availability, they can include kiwi, strawberry, pineapple, blueberry, raspberry, and watermelon.

Frozen yogurt will be sold self-service style at 53 cents an ounce in two different sizes. The weight of the cup will be deducted so customers will only pay for the weight of the contents in the cup, no matter which they use.

The shop will also sell coffee and tea.

Hours

The shop will be open Sundays through Thursdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

After Memorial Day, the shop will be open until 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

LaPenta expects as many adults as kids will enjoy this new frozen yogurt shop, adding that the shop “will have great hours, a nice atmosphere, and music throughout the day.”

Eleven employees will work at the store with more being brought on when it gets busier.

The opening of the Montville Sweet Frog will be one of the first in southeastern Connecticut as another store will soon open in Colchester. Previously, the closest store was in Old Saybrook.