Peachwave makes a splash with its frozen yogurt

Julia and Lucas Venezia knew just where they wanted to go for dessert when their grandmother took them for lunch.

Their destination? The Peachwave Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt on Danbury Road (Route 7 South) in New Milford.

"Cheesecake!" Julia, 11, and Lucas, 10, said in unison when naming their favorite flavor.

With a nod of their heads, they signaled cheesecake is, in fact, the best -- even though grandma, Diana Glugokencky, said she is "a chocolate girl."

"We've been here a lot since they opened," Julia said. "I came here twice one day."

The shop opened in mid-July at 116 Danbury Road, in the plaza between Staples and T.J. Maxx.

Carol Mase and her daughter, Kristyn Mase, bought the franchise after selling their bakery, Sugar Hoot, on Bank Street.

"It's like this every day," said Mrs. Mase, as every table in the shop filled with eager frozen yogurt enthusiasts. "It offers a family outing that's not as expensive as going to the movies."

"And it's as healthy an indulgence as you want to make it," she added.

The frozen yogurt comes in 14 flavors, with some 50 toppings from which to choose.

It's self-serve, paid for by weight at 44 cents an ounce.

Flavors range from Blue Moon, a blue, citrus-flavored yogurt, to cotton candy or cookies 'n' cream. While some favorites will stay the same, others will be changed seasonally, with choices like caramel apple in the fall and egg nog and gingerbread during the holidays.

Mrs. Mase's son, Michael, provides mechanical oversight of the frozen yogurt machines. The shop is family-run and family-oriented.

"We started slowly, without a grand opening. We wanted to get our feet under us," said Ms. Mase. "But now we're implementing some new offerings. Wednesdays are now our seniors day, with senior citizens getting 10 percent off their purchase."

Wellness day is Mondays, with 10 percent off when customers show a local gym membership card.

"Some women come in mornings after their workout, and get blueberry muffin frozen yogurt and top it with fruit and granola, making a breakfast out of it," Mrs. Mase said.

Birthday parties, gift cards and first day of school specials are all among the offerings.

There were some Peachwave requirements for the interior decor of the shop, but Ms. Mase was able to mix and match colors, choose the chairs and create peach decals for the walls.

Peach Wave, at 116 Danbury Road (Route 7 South) in New Milford, is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with hours until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Outside seating is available. Call 860-210-7952 for more information.