Ava Skipworth of Monster Yogurt. Photo by Can Türkyilmaz
Ogre green walls and an indoor playground (aka the monster cave) greet customers at Monster Yogurt, the upstart from Forest Hills resident Ava Skipworth. Monster Yogurt opened in Casa Linda Plaza recently, offering the typical frozen yogurt shop elements: self-serve pay-by-weight fro-yo and loads of toppings. But in a market overloaded with franchises such as Yogurtland and Pinkberry, Skipworth is making an effort to stand out with the new shop. Take the Monster Yogurt tagline, “Scary is good.” Kids like the almost-scary theme and indoor playground; parents like the free Wi-Fi and complimentary coffee. “It gives a comfortable environment for pretty much anyone,” Skipworth says. “It’s fun and engaging, and parents can relax and let their kids be kids.” Monster tracks lead the way to yogurt machines labeled by flavor and nutrition facts. Skipworth says she sells non-fat yogurt, sorbet and greek yogurt varieties to please children and adults. Flavors like cake batter and cookies-n-cream appeal to the younger audience, while coffee, tart and cranberry-hibiscus satisfy the grown-ups. Toppings also come in kid and adult preferences: hemp granola, chocolate-covered espresso beans, whipped cream and “monster goo,” which is green sugar cookie dough mixed with icing. Neighborhood residents Kirsten James and Amanda Hamilton spent upwards of 45 minutes catching up recently while their kids enjoyed the indoor play area. “When it’s hot outside like today, this is really nice,” Hamilton says of the playground. The women were excited to hear that Skipworth is hoping to branch out and open another location soon. “For a city that has so many families, Dallas does not have many kid-friendly places,” James says. “Your kids can run around here in a contained area. We’re big Yogurtland fans but this is way better.” If you don’t believe them, take it from the young boy who yelled from the play area as I walked out the door: “Monster Yogurt rocks!”
