Tutti Frutti doing brisk business in Jamestown

The new Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt shop in Jamestown is doing brisk business.

The business opened on Dec. 15 at 121 Business Loop W. Steve and Tracy Heidrich of Minot own the Jamestown Tutti Frutti as well as two in Minot. They will be opening a fourth location in Dickinson on Feb. 22.

Steve said he owns Muus Lumber and Hardware in Minot. During flooding in June 2011 he was busy delivering materials to people protecting their property from flood damage. At the same time Tracy was visiting family in Pittsburgh. Her stay included visiting a frozen yogurt shop with their grandchildren.

“One of the grandchildren said ‘Grandma you should have one of these in your town when we visit,’” Steve said.

The couple thought that was a good idea. Steve did some Internet research and found the most positive comments associated with the Tutti Frutti brand.

The Heidrichs opened their first Tutti Frutti in December 2011 in Minot. A second Minot store followed soon after.

Seeing the success of the frozen yogurt brand in Minot, Steve said they began looking for new areas in which to open stores.

“Jamestown appeared to be a good location and so does Dickinson,” he said.

Jeffrey Bailey is the manager of Heidrich Foods, Inc., the couple’s company that owns the soon-to-be four Tutti Fruttis. Steve said Bailey will oversee all four locations and each Tutti Frutti will have a store manager as well.

Bailey said business at the Jamestown location is brisk.

Tutti Frutti offers a variety of frozen yogurts made from milk, cream and soy. Bailey said with the number of ingredients, including fresh fruit and flavored syrups, they can create 60 to 80 different flavors.

“We have new flavors every day, different combinations,” he said.

Bailey said he believes part of what brings people in is the self-serve stations. There are six stations and each station has three spigots. Two of the spigots at each station dispense a different flavor while the third in the middle dispenses a mix of the two flavors. There is a toppings bar that includes fresh cut fruits, nuts, chocolate squares, marshmallows and sauces include strawberry, hot fudge and caramel.

“I think the flexibility to make something yourself also brings people in,” he said.

Using local products is a priority for Bailey and the Heidrichs.

“We buy local products when we can. We want to keep everything in the shop as local as possible,” Bailey said.

The shop has 15 employees, not including Bailey. Most are Jamestown residents or live nearby.

Bailey worked in the food service industry managing restaurants most of his career prior to being hired by Heidrich Foods.

Sun reporter Chris Olson can be reached at 701-952-8454

or by email at colson@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local business, business