Red Mango serves natural yogurt with toppings as well as smoothies. Paul Cotter created this one for himself Friday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)
Red Mango in Davidson Commons attracted a batch fo students and teachers from nearby Community School of Davidson on opening day Friday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)
By MADELEINE DICK-GODFREY
DavidsonNews.net
Red Mango, an international frozen yogurt and smoothie chain, has made its way to Davidson. The Red Mango store opened Friday at 536 Jetton St., in the Davidson Commons shopping center near Harris Teeter.
The self-serve shop, which originated in South Korea, features flavors such as Mango, Dark Chocolate, White Peach, and Madagascar Vanilla. It’s among more than 130 Red Mango stores now open for business across the country. The company was just named the No. 1 Zagat Rated Frozen Yogurt and Smoothie Chain in America.
Owner operator Trent Barnes
The Davidson shop is the second of two in Mecklenburg County opened by partners Trent Barnes, Bob Ryan and Paul Carini. Their Huntersville shop opened last November. Mr. Barnes said Friday the store will host a grand opening celebration sometime in November.
The trio chose Davidson because of the emphasis Davidson community members put on living a healthy lifestyle. “In a town like Davidson, there’s great interest in healthy products,” he said. “People are focused on being healthy, but at the same time they want an enjoyable, guilt-free dessert.”
Mr. Barnes first encountered Red Mango yogurt in California a few years ago. He fell in love with it and decided he’d like to try opening his own shops. He and partners acquired the franchise rights to Mecklenburg County. Eventually, they’d like to have five stores in the region.
Red Mango’s all-natural frozen yogurt flavors also are nutritious, the company says. The yogurt is packed with probiotics and serves at an average of 100 calories per cup. “It’s one of the healthiest desserts around,” Mr. Barnes said.
The new Red Mango in Davidson has dozens of selections for customers to toss on their choice of frozen yogurt. (Madeleine Dick-Godfrey/DavidsonNews.net)
For your own guilty pleasure you can top off your yogurt delight with toppings such as fresh fruit, nuts and granola, Fruity Pebbles, or Ghirardelli dark chocolate.
Don’t think that frozen yogurt is just another way to cool down. In fact Red Mango’s treats, so cold and yummy, can actually make you feel warm and fuzzy during the coldest months. During fall, Red Mango offers Pumpkin Spice. This flavor seems to capture the essence of autumn in a cup, achieving the perfect blend of pumpkin and cinnamon.
Red Mango welcomes the holiday season in other ways too. As the coldest months approach, Red Mango will serve hot oatmeal paired with fresh fruit, Ghiradelli hot chocolate, and other holiday flavors such as Peppermint Bark.
RED MANGO DAVIDSON
Davidson Commons, Suite 60, 536 Jetton St., Davidson
HOURS: Mondays to Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays, noon to 9 p.m.
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Mango-Davidson-NC/104658046311283.
