In the past few years, it has become increasingly clear that Atlanta is missing something. What once could be found at every corner is now so far out of reach that you have to actually go 40 minutes away from Paideia to obtain it. That thing is frozen yogurt, or froyo. There used to be Yogli Moglis, Yoforias, Yogurtland and Menchies everywhere. Unfortunately, in a post-COVID world the nearest froyo option is all the way in Buckhead or Sandy Springs, a far drive for many.
When the Virginia Highlands Yogli Mogli was shut down and replaced with Morrellis, a gourmet ice cream shop, I personally wondered what difference this would make in my life. Froyo and ice cream can’t really be that different, can they? Yes, they in fact are very different. I am a huge fan of ice cream, and I indulge in it often. However, when I am in the mood for some froyo, ice cream simply cannot satisfy that craving.
I don’t think the fascination with froyo is really about the actual yogurt; it’s the fact that it is so customizable. The power is in the hands of the eater to decide how much yogurt they want, what toppings they may add and even the color of the spoon that they will eat it with. Ice cream is much less personal. The person working at the store is the one to scoop it, and even if they have the option of toppings, the decision making process is much more formal and less spontaneous. This is great most times, but sometimes I want the power to decide. The hit show Liv and Maddie has a song called “Froyo Yolo” that perfectly encapsulates this distinction. It says, “You pick a froyo while I rhyme. Banana, cherry, there ain’t no stoppin’ I can mix ‘em up, try all the toppings.”
There is also a certain nostalgic feeling that comes with eating froyo. I remember being a kid and going to Yogli Mogli after school on Fridays. Not only was it the highlight of my week, I would also always see someone I knew, as it was always packed with people. It truly was a place where good food and social interaction could come together as one. In coming to my opinions for this article, I made the long trek to the Yogli Mogli in Sandy Springs. The froyo instantly transported me back to those moments. This isn’t just me; all across Atlanta, I have bonded with people through our mutual confusion and distaste for the absence of frozen yogurt in the city we love: “It’s so surprising because it feels like the market for Atlanta is so big. It really feels like we could use more,” says Hattie Gegax ’27.
