By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Self-serve frozen yogurt competition in Salisbury suddenly has heated up.
Dessert lovers soon will have two options for the sweet treat, which customers dispense themselves. They can choose from dozens of candies, syrups and fruits available at a self-serve topping bar.
While delays have slowed the opening of the new SweetFrog, the owner said he plans to open in April. Meanwhile, another business has announced plans to sell self-serve frozen yogurt a few blocks away.
Both are hiring.
New signs are up outside and construction has begun inside SweetFrog after “various delays,” owner Andy Barrick said. He declined to be more specific.
The shop at Towne Creek Commons near Starbuck’s was originally scheduled to open in January.
A few blocks away at Innes Street Market near Lowe’s, Swirl It Up plans to move into the vacant space next door to Capriano’s restaurant.
“We’re glad to have new neighbors,” Capriano’s owner Joshua Chaparro said.
Swirl It Up will move into the former Mambo Grill location, which has been vacant for several years.
Although Chaparro said he’s only recently met Swirl It Up owner Angela Allen, the Italian restaurant and yogurt shop are already working together on Facebook to attract customers.
“Italian dinner + movie + Swirl It Up froyo = perfect night out!” Allen posted on Swirl It Up’s page.
Tinseltown Theater is located nearby.
Barrick said more than 250 people have inquired about working at SweetFrog.
“It’s been amazing,” he said.
He’s reviewing applications now and will begin hiring between 20 and 30 part-time and full-time employees within two weeks.
Job seekers can still apply at sweetfrogandy@yahoo. com. Send an email, attach a resume, and Barrick will reply with a job application, he said.
Barrick opened a SweetFrog in Fayetteville, N.C., two and a half months ago and has another shop under construction in Columbus, Ga.
“The brand is something people are starting to recognize,” he said. “We are expanding aggressively.”
SweetFrog also has shops in Kannapolis, Concord and Mooresville, as well as dozens of other locations in North Carolina.
Self-serve yogurt is more than dessert, Barrick said, it’s entertainment. He predicted the dessert is here to stay.
“It’s a not fad,” he said. “It’s a healthy option, and people are looking for that.”
Allen was not available for comment about Swirl It Up, but according to Facebook, the shop is hiring all positions and accepting resumes at SwirlitUpFroYo@gmail.com Swirl It Up is expected to open in May.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.