PHOTOS: Yogurt Square Reopens with New Flavor

When people walked into Yogurt Square Friday, nearly all of them gave owner Ali Ozturk a big, “Welcome, back!”

The frozen yogurt store had been closed since December for renovations. And in that time, Lincoln Square residents missed their froyo. 

Ozturk got more than 500 emails asking when the store at 4701 N. Lincoln Ave. would be open again.

“Some people even found my personal phone and they called me,” he said. 

The people who stopped in on Friday, when the store opened, sampled some of the new flavors Ozturk added. And everyone that stopped in received as much free yogurt and toppings as they could eat. 

Georgia peach, cappuccino and carrot cake joined the flavor staples like chocolate and original tart. Next week, he’ll be experimenting with an Irish mint flavor. 

This is the second time Ozturk has given away free yogurt; the first time was in February 2012 when he opened the business. In four hours, he sold out with more than 2,500 people through his doors. 

It was a little calmer Friday when Ozturk unveiled his new store to the community. 

The owner decided to change Yogurt Square’s décor when another frozen yogurt shop, Little Bunny, opened on Lincoln Avenue in Northcenter. 

Ozturk said the owners of that store appeared in October with the exact same look. 

“He stole my pictures, design, graphics, everything,” Ozturk said. “That’s why I changed.” 

An interior designer created wave graphics with new tables and chairs for Yogurt Square, but Ozturk had to wait longer than he wanted to show them off.

He originally planned to re-open in the beginning of February, but had to switch contractors halfway through the construction. That delayed the opening until Friday.

Ozturk, originally from Turkey, said he started the business because of his son.

“He just loves ice cream, and yogurt is healthier for him, so I said why not?” Ozturk said.

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