By Dair McNinch, Staff Writer
What does the Outer Banks need? Some would claim that this place could use a Target, a Chick-fil-A, or any other popular business not within a hundred miles of the island. The real answer for many people, however, is more ice cream.
Nestled right by Southern Shores Pizza in the plaza with Steamers and Coastal Provisions sits a familiar frozen yogurt name with a new look that could very easily emerge as the dominant ice cream spot on the Outer Banks this summer.
Jeff Schwartzenberg has been in the froyo business for a whopping two and a half months now as the new owner of OBX Frozen Yogurt, but has some big ideas for his new business.
“I have experience on the consumer side of frozen yogurt,” Schwartzenberg said, laughing. “I have a background in marketing, communications, and business development, and have always had the desire to have my own small business.”
Schwartzenberg and his wife, Jennifer, saw OBX Froyo go up for sale at the right place and right time. They bought the business from their friends who previously owned it when it was over by Walmart, just off the bypass. They picked up shop and moved it all over to Southern Shores Crossing in late spring.
That was not exactly an easy feat. The space they bought by Southern Shores Pizza had been vacant for years. Walking in there now, you would have no idea of this. The bright, open and inviting floor plan welcomes guests from noon to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
“We had to totally renovate the space,” Jennifer said. “It was a big project.”
So what’s going to make this place stand out above all the other ice cream joints on the beach? Jeff had the answers to that question.
“It’s a fun, creative atmosphere with a friendly face. I want people to come in here and be able to hang out, not just get something and leave,” he said. “We’ve got free wifi, places to sit, and a widely diverse set of products.”
He is not kidding.
There are huge varieties of candy, frozen yogurt and toppings, ice cream, create-your-own milkshakes, slushies, Italian ice, sorbet, coffee, as well as health-restricted options and more: “I want there to be a little something for everyone,” Jeff said.
There’s also one more big piece to how the Schwarzenbergs are going to kill it this season: Dippin’ Dots. The ice cream flash frozen in liquid nitrogen may prove to do just that.
“I was pleasantly surprised to hear that we’re the only place on the Outer Banks that hand scoops Dippin’ Dots,” Jeff said. “Some gas stations have the prepackaged ones, but it’s not the same. I really hope that they can help out around here (with business).”
Based on local reaction, his hopes will not be too far off.
“I feel like a kid again,” sophomore Jack Fonseca said. “Those memories of seeing a Dippin’ Dots stand and sprinting to it are all flooding back, and it’s great.”
Learn more about OBX FroYo on its Facebook page.
Sophomore Dair McNinch can be reached at mcninchle1121@daretolearn.org.
