NL_011118

6 | January 11, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot news
newlenoxpatriot.com
NL resident brings frozen yogurt shop to Frankfort
Amanda Stoll, Assistant Editor
Yumz owner, New Lenox resident Todd Hyatt stands behind the bar of assorted fruits, nuts,
candies, sprinkles and other toppings from which patrons can choose when concocting
frozen yogurt desserts. Photos by Amanda Stoll/22nd Century Media
While making one of the
most important decisions
in his life — designing an
engagement ring — Todd
Hyatt started thinking about
making another leap of faith:
starting a business.
Opening a Yumz Gourmet
Frozen Yogurt had been on
his mind for years, especially
since his sister’s brotherin-law
started the franchise,
but it wasn’t until after he
heard about the Emagine
movie theater opening that
he made up his mind.
The shop, which he opened
late last summer, is right
down the parking lot from
the theater, tempting passersby
with numerous flavors
of frozen treats and an endless
combination of toppings
ranging from fruits and nuts
to candy and sprinkles.
Hyatt said his favorite flavors
of frozen yogurt are key
lime pie and salted caramel,
and the flavors offered by
Yumz are one of the things
he likes most about the franchise.
“I really like the flavors
that [Yumz] has,” he said.
“I’ve gotten a lot of really
good comments on how
much people really like the
flavors that they have. I just
like the environment. I like
the color schemes, the design
stuff, the different chairs
and the decor we have on the
wall. It kind of makes it a fun,
festive [and] lively place.”
Beside the variety of flavors,
which include dairyfree
sorbet options, frozen
yogurt lovers boast the
healthy side of the fat-free
frozen treat, which Hyatt
said contains probiotics and
vitamins.
The experience at Yumz is
similar to other popular frozen
yogurt shops where patrons
can go in and dispense
their own yogurt, choosing
the flavor and amount.
They then proceed to the
bar of toppings and sprinkle
whatever fruity, sugary or
crunchy additions they desire
atop their dessert. At the
end, the price is determined
by weight.
Hyatt, a New Lenox resident,
said he was happy to
open his business in Frankfort,
the town he grew up in.
He said he’s also been
pleased with the staff he has
hired, which includes a Joliet
Junior College student and
eight local high school students.
He said he thinks the
shop is a good job opportunity
for students – many for
whom this is their first job.
The atmosphere in the
shop is bright, with music
playing and both tables
and chairs and couches, so
people can relax and enjoy
their time there. There are
also two tables with umbrellas
out front for patrons to
enjoy the weather when it’s
Yumz Gourmet Frozen
Yogurt
19985 LaGrange Road,
Frankfort
Facebook:
@Yumzfrankfort
Hours:
• Noon-10 p.m. Monday-
Thursday
• Noon-11 p.m. Friday
• 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday
• 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday
nice outside.
“We don’t want people to
just come in and get it and
leave,” Hyatt said. “I want
Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt shop has both indoor and
outdoor seating options designed to encourage patrons to
stay and enjoy their dessert and their company as long as
they would like.
Frozen yogurt topping include boba juice balls, cookies,
various fruits and nuts, a variety of candies, whipped
cream, chocolate drizzle and sprinkles.
a place where people can
come in, get [frozen yogurt]
and sit and visit and enjoy
the environment that we
have in here.”
To entice people in, Hyatt
said he’s offering 20 percent
off to people who bring their
movie ticket from the Imagine
theater on the same day
of the showing, and he frequently
offers discounts and
specials through the shops’s
Facebook page.
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From Page 4
Deiters said affordability,
generally speaking, is one
of the issues in higher education
that she cares deeply
for.
“It’s something that if you
come and you complete your
education, you’re able to go
out and get a job where you
can make a living,” she said.
The board has several
matters of business they
intend to work on in the
coming months, and that
includes looking at student
enrollment, dual credit opportunities,
student retention
and a potential property acquisition.
“There are no pressing
issues that need a majority
of votes,” Wunderlich
said. “It’s good to have a
full board. [As an example,]
it could be something as
simple as purchasing equipment.”
Wunderlich urged Hornung
to run in a future election,
citing his appreciation
for what she could bring to
the board.
The Joliet Junior College
Board of Trustees includes
Bob Wunderlich, chairman;
Maureen Broderick,
vice chairwoman; Mike
O’Connell, secretary; John
(Jake) Mahalik; Alicia Morales;
Dan O’Connell; and
Sante Deserio, student trustee.