Omer Ulu says Wisconsin's weather made him think long and hard about opening a frozen yogurt shop, but he eventually decided – along with business partner, Sandi Unal – to do it. Berry Me Frozen Yogurt & Cafe opened earlier this month at 1320 E. Brady St., inside the former space of clothing shop Ala Reed.
The space has been completely transformed and now features brightly painted orange and green walls, murals and a smattering of modern table and chairs. At this point, the space almost seems too big for the concept, but Ulu says the offerings are going to continue to grow in the near future.
Currently, Berry Me offers a self-serve frozen yogurt station, complete with four to seven types of yogurt and more than 20 different toppings. Customers fill their bowls with yogurt and toppings, then pay 45 cents per ounce.
During a recent visit, there were six different kinds of frozen yogurt to choose from: low-fat pomegranate, low-fat chocolate, non-fat banana, non-fat vanilla, non-fat cookies 'n' cream and non-dairy mango sorbet. Flavors rotate, and others include wildberry, New York cheesecake, strawberry and cappuccino.
(The Facebook page copy claims Berry Me frozen yogurt is safe for the lactose intolerant to eat. The author concluded this was, indeed, a true statement after eating a fair share of both the vanilla and cookies 'n' cream.)
The available toppings are plentiful: Cheerios, frosted wheats, almond shavings, peanuts, raisins, coconut, sprinkles, cookie dough balls, fresh blueberries, M&Ms, Nerds, kiwi, strawberries, bananas and more.
Seniors and students receive a 10 percent discount. Customers get half off on their birthday and their friends get a 20 percent discount.
Berry Me is Ulu's second business. He opened Tomato Destination about two years ago in the food court at The Shops Of Grand Avenue, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. Tomato Destination is a make-your-own salad and sandwich shop.
Three years ago, Ulu went to California and stopped in a yogurt business similar to Berry Me. He later visited similar places in New York and Philadelphia. He says the healthy concept appealed to him.
"Our yogurt contains the highest counts of beneficial live natural yogurt cultures. Yogurt is known for promoting a balanced digestive system and good health," he says.
Although the product was appealing, Ulu had to project whether or not a frozen yogurt stand was a good fit for a Midwestern state.
"I finally decided it was a good choice, even though we have nine months of cold in Wisconsin," he says.
According to employee Tolga Altundal, so far, business has been very brisk. "We're busy, especially in the evening. We get very busy after 5," he says.
Within the next month, Berry Me will also feature coffee drinks, tea and a variety of fresh juices, including carrot and orange. Dessert items like cheese cake, cupcakes and other sweets will also be for sale.
Within a month, the shop – which is extraordinarily clean – will have a cafe and dessert case that will most likely fill up more space and create a cozier feel.
"Lots coming in the next month or so," says Ulu.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
