New Frozen Yogurt Shop to Open on Nine Mile

The fro-yo craze is coming to Ferndale as a new frozen yogurt shop plans to open at 172 W. Nine Mile Rd.

Easy Like Sundae, scheduled to open July 12, will offer 10 flavors of fat-free, soft-serve frozen yogurt and a long list of candy toppings.

Owner Aaron Stone said he got the idea after his father came back from a trip to Tennessee to visit Stone's sister, niece and nephew.

"He came back talking about this frozen yogurt place that the kids loved and wanted to go to every day," said Stone, a Berkley resident.

Noticing there wasn't much of that in the southeast Michigan area yet, the idea stuck with him and soon he was making plans to open a shop of his own.

"I said you know what I'm going to give it a shot and go after it," he said.

As for the name, it just sort of stuck, too. "It started out as a joke actually and then people just liked it, so I couldn't get rid of it," he laughs.

Frozen yogurt flavors will include chocolate, vanilla, tart, blueberry, cake batter, key lime pie, coconut and peanut butter. Five frozen yogurt machines will be available with two flavors each (you can twist them, too), and guests can pick from more than 25 candy choices and 15-20 other toppings such as fruit, nuts, whipped cream, chocolate, caramel and more.

Stone said he and his friends spend a lot of time in Ferndale and he found it an ideal location. "It's got a lot of small businesses and the people support the small businesses there so well," he said.

The space, located between and the Organic Food and Vitamin Center, "just felt right," he said.

"It was in a great location and I think it's a great downtown and it's only getting better," Stone said.

Easy Like Sundae will feature indoor and outdoor seating, and in fitting with its name, a "laid-back, kick-back" atmosphere.

"Something really easy with a good vibe so that it will set a good mood," he said. "We're not just selling yogurt, [we want people to] enjoy coming there because it's comfortable to sit and enjoy yogurt, a smoothie, coffee."

Stone chose a Michigan-based yogurt company. "We want to support Michigan and it's the best product out there," he said.

In addition to frozen yogurt, the shop will also offer smoothies, shakes, coffee, bottled water and other beverages. Frozen yogurt will be priced at 46 cents per ounce.

"I just want people to come in and give us a try. We're doing a Michigan product, we're a Michigan family and in a great Michigan city," he said. "It's something totally new."