
Pinkberry likes what it sees in Fairfield County.
Ron Graves, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles-based frozen yogurt retailer, hopes that its next store in the county will get the same popular reception when it opens early this fall at 369 Greenwich Ave. Pinkberry opened its first shop in the county in Fairfield in October.
"Greenwich has always been on our list," he said.
"When we look at the market, we plan to go into the entire market. We look at trade areas.
"There are several others planned in the state. Fairfield was the first of many to come."
Pinkberry, which has 125 stores in 13 states and eight countries, offers patrons the option of personalizing their choice of yogurt with a combination of toppings.
It also expects to open a Pinkberry this autumn at Blue Back Square in West Hartford.
Fairfield resident Jamie Karson is the Pinkberry franchise developer for Connecticut.
"Based on the positive responses we have received since the opening of the Fairfield Pinkberry store, I'm confident that the sophisticated and discerning consumers of Greenwich and the surrounding communities will embrace the inspirational store design, outstanding product and impeccable service."
The store will have about 20 employees during peak seasons, Graves said, and the 1,300-square-foot space is being completely remodeled to meet Pinkberry's design standards.
"We spend a lot of time on who we hire and spend a lot of time on training," he said.
"Greenwich Avenue is a great retail environment. It gets a lot of foot traffic. We do well in retail areas. It has good tenants around it."
One of them is Alice + Olivia, managed by Ingrid Loud, who anticipates getting some customers from Pinkberry.
"People will be strolling around and coming in with their yogurt," said Loud, noting that the space has been vacant more than a year.
Pinkberry has signed a 10-year lease for the space, most recently occupied by The Federalist, a furniture store that moved to Putnam Avenue, said Craig Way, vice president of Nitkin Group, which owns the building.
"We couldn't be more excited about Pinkberry. They have a real buzz," he said.
"It's in keeping with what's happening in Greenwich."