What's up with iYo?

[guthmeister.livejournal.com]

I used to love iYo. Then, last year, new owners took over and expanded the menu, etc... I didn't care for the prepared foods but I liked that it was still recognizable as a yogurt shop. Then, Tuesday night, I stopped by and it appears the business is being overhauled yet again. I don't know if it changed hands again, but a new staff seems to be in charge. The owners are installing a huge stove, range hood, and what looked like an elaborate sprinkler system. Meanwhile, the yogurt area looked neglected, almost as if it were an afterthought. I imagine running a seasonal business is super difficult in this climate but I'm sad to see this cute local cafe suffer one identity crisis after another. Anyone know the latest?

Comments

[ron_newman]

I didn't realize there was an ownership change. I asked yesterday if frozen yogurt is going away, and they said "absolutely not".

[lizforalderman.livejournal.com]

I'm there practically every day (great working spot). The new owners began taking an active role about a month ago, two dudes in particular are often behind the counter and schmoozing with customers. I also like it primarily for fro-yo, and the new owner I spoke to said that the fro-yo wasn't going away, but then he plugged the brick oven and other stuff he was installing. I smiled politely, but I didn't care, because I just like having a place where I can sit in the window and work for an afternoon while enjoying a dose of froyo every time my wifi code runs out.

I hope they maintain the cold weather froyo special! 1% off the cost for every degree below freezing outside!

[ron_newman]

Do they know that their website has been hacked? One of us should let them know.

[macthud]

That's not site hackage. That's what happens when your website is hosted by Network Solutions, and you don't keep current with your payments. Or when NetSol screws up the bookkeeping.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Are you sure it was new ownership and not prudent diversification out of the froyo apocalypse? At one point Davis had 3 dedicated froyo places -- iYo, Orange Leaf, Pinkberry -- plus JP Licks selling frozen yogurt. Given that (a) there's only one *ice cream* place (or 1.5, counting the movie theater) and (b) nationally, ice cream sales are 20x higher than froyo, I think that was pretty ridiculous.

[ron_newman]

From the beginning, iYo has been more than a froyo shop, as it also offered coffee and sandwiches.

[totient]

Mr Crepe also sells (Richardsons, ergo tasty) ice cream.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I discovered that the other day. Same distributor as the theater, I think. OTOH neither is primarily an ice cream shop, there's only JP Licks for that.

[ron_newman]

When there's a huge line outside JP Licks, I've been known to go across the street and buy from the theatre concession stand instead. Surprisingly inexpensive, and good ice cream. They used to carry a large selection of flavors, but now they have only four at a time.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

That's how I discovered them! I was sitting at a plaza table, some women sat down with me, we made fun of the growing JPLicks line, and then one of them told me the theater sold good (and cheap!) ice cream, so I checked it out. Best chocolate ice cream I'd had in a while. Vanilla was disappointing at first, not sure if it was bad, or overwhelmed by chocolate flavor; got better when it warmed up, I think, volatilizing more.

[spatch]

People also often head over to the Somerville Theater for take-out popcorn but the ice cream feels like a well-kept secret! (It's also cheaper than JP Licks though the selection is limited.)

[londo.livejournal.com]

Don't forget the new one, opening soon in the Porter Exchange!

[ron_newman]

Didn't know about it. What's it called?

[londo.livejournal.com]

I don't know, but it appears to be replacing the bakery there.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

I thought Japonais was simply remodeling. They always had some ice cream, IIRC.

[teko.livejournal.com]

Sadly, it looks like they've closed permanently (http://boston.eater.com/2015/7/13/8946513/japonaise-bakery-cambridge-closed).

[guthmeister.livejournal.com]

Good insights! I can imagine it's difficult to run a seasonal business with so much local competition -- hence the diversification. I just hope it works!

[teko.livejournal.com]

They were closed for renovations today; a sign in the window said something like "Coming Soon: iYo Cafe / Deli / Treats"

[spatch]

The sign I saw said "iYo Bistro". Oy.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

This kind of switching around of concepts is often a death knell for food establishments, sadly. :-/