Menchie's fro-yo comes to Randall Road corridor
The rich and famous always seem to be stopping by a Menchie's in California to get their frozen yogurt fix, and a photo taken by the paparazzi with their fro-yo creation.
There have been Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Karadashian sightings at the trendy yogurt shop.
Now you too, can get your photo taken at a Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, as the business expands into the Chicago area, and two locations open along the Randall Road corridor.
Earlier this month, Menchie's opened in Algonquin at 2531 N. County Line Road in the Algonquin Commons Shopping Center, just in front of Trader Joe's and Discovery.
Soon, a second location along the Randall Road corridor will be opening in Geneva at 1064 Commons Drive, in Geneva Commons.
Presently, there are seven other Menchie's franchise locations in Illinois - with businesses in Bloomingdale, Downers Grove, Highland Park, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Chicago and Schaumburg. Soon, you also will find the growing franchise in Palatine, Lincolnshire and Naperville.
Inside of Menchie's you'll find a variety of flavors of frozen yogurt that you can mix and fill with toppings. You can even put your Menchie's into a waffle cup.
Once you pile it all into your Menchie's cup, then you weigh you creation. The cost is based upon how much your cup weighs.
Some of the ever-changing flavors presently in the Algonquin shop are hot chocolate, toasty marshmallow, ice cream sandwich and Dole Whip.
It was the Dole Whip flavor, which is a popular treat to visitors of Disney World and Disneyland, that brought Anna Black of Carpentersville into the store this month.
"I love it. I thought I could only get it at Disney World and every time we leave there I really want more, so I was so excited when I heard they had it here," she said. "It is so yummy. I am so excited to get it right here."
In addition to the yogurt flavors and irresistible toppings, Menchie's is filled with smiles, and happiness and fun for kids. There are free stickers and little 3-D figures that kids can take and build of the Menchie's characters - including one of Menchie herself.
There also is a bulletin board in the Algonquin location with clippings from National magazines showing the rich and famous enjoying their Menchie's at spots throughout the country.
Locals, though, get their due, too, as the walls of the store are covered with creative drawings from kids in the area of the various Menchie's characters.
To reach the Algonquin location, call (224) 333-0641. You also can stop by its Facebook page to find out the latest promotions and flavors.
Black History Month: To celebrate Black History Month, the Barnes and Noble along Randall Road in Geneva is hosting a special story time for kids.
At 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, the story time will feature the books, "I am Jackie Robinson" and "I am Rosa Parks" by Brad Meltzer.
Kids will get to hear the stories of Parks and Robinson, and how they helped change history.
The event is free and open to the public.
For information, call the store at (630) 262-8568.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.