When RedBerry Frozen Yogurt opened in Campus Town at The College of New Jersey last October, it might have seems unusual at first blush — after all the fall is not traditionally thought of as frozen yogurt season.
But it was also the time of year when TCNJ students returned to school, offering the new business a large number of potential customers right off the bat.
“We did open with a bang with the students,” said owner Art Havier, adding that the next step is to now reach out and get involved with the rest of the community.
To that end, RedBerry Frozen Yogurt hosts frequent fundraisers for groups both on and off campus, including Ewing High School’s musical theater group, the Pennington Road Fire Company and the Ewing Police Department. Havier’s staff of some 20 people includes students from EHS and the college, as well as other members of the community.
The 2,200-square-foot location, which is much larger than Havier’s other location in Yardley, offers seating for 42 people, USB ports, free wifi and holes cut into the counter to eliminate smoothie spills. It all adds up to a very inviting environment for people to hang out while enjoying a frozen yogurt snack.
“We invite that and encourage that,” Havier said. “Student can study and work on projects with other kids. The TV is on all day with music, but we can shut it off so people can work.”
RedBerry also has 10 to 12 benches outside of their store for those who want to sit outside and enjoy a nice day (or evening). “I was one of the first (in Campus Town) to pick out our location,” said Havier, adding that he believes that he chose one of the best spots in the complex.
Havier has been in the restaurant business for over 30 years, in addition to working for a number of years with his father, Hy Havier, in his Wall Street-area delicatessen when he was growing up.
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Havier said, adding that the family tradition is spreading with his son, Josh, who helps to run RedBerry, and his wife, Sherry, who takes care of the store during the day.
Sherry Havier grew up in the Glendale section of Ewing and graduated from Ewing Public Schools before attending American University where she and Art met.
In addition to the five-year-old Yardley location, Havier opened RedBerry Frozen Yogurt in Plainsboro about four years ago, which he recently sold so he coudl focus his attention on the Campus Town location.
“It is something that is very different when dealing with college kids. You have to adjust to their needs,” Havier said.
This includes adjusting the hours based on the college calendar. When the college is in session, the shop is open from noon to midnight, seven days a week. But during Spring Break, for example, they closed at 10 p.m. “You have to go through a full year to figure out all of your needs,” Havier said.
The Campus Town location also includes a Smoothie Bar — a first for Havier. “We have a total of 20 smoothies and shakes from something low calorie (about 175 calories) to 600 calories,” Havier said. “We had some fun with the names. We have the Freshman 15 and the Summer Session. Our sizes are Minor and Major. We also have some non-dairy items and can add energy boosts, powders and wheat grass to any smoothie.”
On the counter inside the store is a large stuffed lion — an homage to Roscoe the Lion, TCNJ’s mascot. They renamed their Boba Balls (juice filled balls that look like pearls) to “pixel balls,” after the giant balls seen on campus. Above the frozen yogurt machines are large pictures of TCNJ students enjoying RedBerry Frozen Yogurt.
Havier adds he has plans to start a loyalty program within the next month.
RedBerry Frozen Yogurt, 200 Campus Town Circle, Suite 220 A. Phone: (609) 883-0043. Website: redberryTCNJ.com. Check the website for hours as they vary according to school calendar. Also on the website is a list of the current frozen yogurt flavors, and nutritional information.
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