One of the newer trends in restaurants is now in Platteville.

Berry Yo, a frozen yogurt store, opened at 305 E. Business 151 May 1.

“It seems to be a growing business,” said manager Tim Stanton. “People are a little more health-conscious, trying to stay away from the fattier ice creams. You’re starting to see yogurt chains popping up. People are enjoying frozen yogurts for health reasons.”

Berry Yo has a variety of yogurt flavors, some fat-free, from eight machines. Mixing two flavors on a machine gets the customer the third offered flavor — mocha latte from combining espresso and white chocolate mousse, cherry cheesecake from cherry amaretto and cheesecake, or “Berries and Cream” from Tahitian vanilla and wild strawberry, for example. The flavors are changed every two weeks.

Customers can add two counters worth of toppings, including marshmallows, cookies (vanilla wafers), breakfast cereals (granola, Rice Krispies, Cocoa Puffs and Fruity Pebbles), candy (Sour Patch Kids, chocolate rocks), cookie dough, chocolate chips and various fruits. The right combination could be either breakfast or dessert, given that the store is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Customers do most of the work for me,” said Stanton. “All I have to do is make sure the supplies are filled.”

Berry Yo started with 22 employees.

“I think it appeals to a wide variety of ages, but principally focuses on high school age and early to mid-20s,” said Stanton. “With the university growing each year, it seemed like an ideal situation.”

Stanton has worked in restaurants for 25 years, including Culver’s and Hardee’s.

“It’s a different concept,” he said. “The customers come in and they fill their yogurt cups and top it. This allows us as the owner to be more personable with customers. The important thing is to make sure all the toppings are filled for customers.”

The concept expanded before opening when Kaldi’s Coffee from St. Louis and East Mill Bakery products from East Dubuque were added.

“We were concerned that in winter weather the yogurt aspect may not be as popular, and we were looking for another way to bring customers in,” said Stanton.

The building also has a meeting room for “something for the community,” said Stanton, including meetings, parties and family reunions.

A grand opening is planned for early June.