Yogurt has become an art form in Prescott with the opening of “Yogartz” at the Depot Marketplace.

Marlene Freedman and her sister Susan Levine owned the dry cleaning store a couple of doors down from Yogartz for about 9 years. Then they decided that Prescott needed a gathering place for young and old alike that was comfortable, contusive to conversation, and served a high quality product.

They achieved their goal with Yogartz. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the design of everything from the space flow, to the decoration, to the immaculate yogurt stations is so professional I literally thought they were part of a chain. Freedman says, “We get that all the time. It’s completely our creation. But everything starts somewhere!”

When you walk through the door you are usually greeted by a smiling person with little cups, who asks if this is your first time here, and offers samples of the different flavors of frozen yogurt. The flavors range from Double Chocolate, Vanilla (with extra vanilla) Kiwi, Peanut Butter, Rootbeer Float and my personal favorite, Cake Batter, among others. They also keep two custard flavors and a sorbet in the mix. The flavors rotate as Freedman and Levine create them, and there is always a lactose free Vegan selection. You choose your cup size or a bowl-shaped cone and then pick your yogurt flavor or flavors.

Then it’s time to head to the Creation Station. This is your chance to choose from 30 different toppings. Fresh fruit is rotated by what is in season, and diced each day. One selection is called mochi, which is a Japanese marshmallow. According to Freeman the mochi is now the number one topping in the United States. It has a wonderful texture and is not as “sugary” as an American marshmallow. There are also walnuts, peanuts, different candy, sprinkles, hot fudge, caramel and peanut butter. Your final creation is weighed and sold by the ounce.

You may have seen Smart Art, the Yogartz cow around town. He is called Smart Art because they say, “It’s a Guilt-Free Treat – Tartz or Sweet.” (Their “Tartz” flavored yogurt has that “tang” for people who like the more classic yogurt flavor.) If you see Smart Art around town and wonder if he is a little warm this summer, don’t worry. Freeman says, “He’s only 2 ½ months old, so he’s spoiled. He’s wearing an ice suit.” He also has a drinking bag hidden someplace in his muscles.

Freedman remembers when she and her sister first started talking about creating Yogartz. She smiles and says, “People said, ‘You’re crazy!’ but I think it’s all right to be crazy. We need crazy!” She is happy that the atmosphere seems to bring out the child in the customers. She says, “They smile. Everybody’s happy. And the adults always seem to sit by the play area.”

Yogartz has been a popular gathering place almost since its opening on April 1st. The grand opening was Wednesday. Freedman said that they have customers who come in everyday and even some who come in 2 or 3 times a day. The kids at the grand opening seemed to enjoy their yogurt. One little boy gave a “high five” to Smart Art and said, “Your yogurt’s good!” Another young customer, who happened to be sitting across from me and watched as I took notes said, “You should write on there, it tastes delicious!”

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