Walla Walla yogurt shop expands to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Offering warm pie and a special blend of coffee are some ways Blue Palm Frozen Yogurt adjusts to the colder, winter months.

Now Moses Lake can enjoy these offerings.

The independently-owned and operated business opens a second location at Penn Plaza on Stratford Road in mid-January, said Travis Hornby, of Wenatchee, the store's owner/operator.

The store already has a location in Walla Walla, which opened four months ago.

Blue Palm Frozen Yogurt sells self-serve frozen yogurt with a choice of more than 40 toppings, explained Heather Threadgill, one of the store's business partners.

"People can come in and make their own creations," she said. "It's fun to be able to make it however you like it."

Toppings include fresh granola, fruits, cereals and nuts.

The store tries to use as many local products as possible for toppings.

In Walla Walla, the business has used locally-grown blueberries, strawberries and raspberries and honey and granola from area businesses.

"We try to do that to support the community," Threadgill said. "We are very excited to open in Moses Lake. We have had lots of people ask us about coming here and doing something. It will be a whole new adventure."

Hornby, the store's owner/operator, said the business is currently hiring between six to eight people for part-time, full-time, supervisory and non-supervisory positions.

Business partners selected Moses Lake for a new store because the area's demographic fit what they were looking for and a good location became available.

"We thought we could be successful," he said.

The business formed when longtime friends, himself, Threadgill, of Walla Walla, and Sandy Christensen, of Idaho, partnered.

He said yogurt is a good business with small overhead.

There have been many articles written about yogurt companies in Portland and Seattle.

"We tried to get into the market," he said. "I always enjoyed yogurt. I wouldn't say I was a big yogurt eater, but I am now. I think it's a great alternative to ice cream."

Their menu somewhat changes depending on the season, what's popular and what's requested.

They offer sugar-free yogurts and depending on the demand, is available more frequently.

For more information, visit www.bluepalmyo.com or call 509-429-5729.