One of the newest bars in downtown Auburn happens to not serve alcohol.
Freeze, a frozen yogurt bar, opened its doors in July 2018, welcoming people strolling along the downtown strip in for a cup of organic yogurt.
“Our yogurt is special because all of our flavors are fat-free, gluten-free, nut-free, egg-free, no high fructose corn syrup, no GMOs and no preservatives,” said Lydia Pass, Freeze employee. “And our toppings are all organic, as well.”
Sydney Wilkerson, Freeze employee, said these qualities have a number of benefits besides healthier eating.
“Looking at toppings, all of our gummies are from an organic company, so there’s no preservatives or artificial colors or flavors,” Wilkerson said.
She shared that some kids may be allergic to ingredients in most frozen yogurts, but at Freeze, they do not have to worry about that.
Pass said a number of flavors on the Freeze menu change weekly. Chocolate, vanilla and classic tart are constants, but other flavors vary.
“A lot of times we’ll change for seasonal flavors, too,” Pass added. “So in the fall, we had pumpkin and pumpkin spice, and in the winter, we had peppermint.”
Pass said one of the most interesting flavors she has seen served was root beer float.
“That one was really good,” Wilkerson said. “Especially mixed with vanilla.”
Freeze also consistently serves two vegan frozen yogurt options.
Vegan frozen yogurt is made from coconut milk rather than dairy products, Wilkerson said.
“This makes [vegan frozen yogurt] good for people with a lactose intolerance, too,” Pass said.
Owners Christina and Lance Francis, both Auburn alumni, originally opened Freeze in Cincinnati when they lived in there.
“They opened it because they didn’t want to give their children all the artificial stuff,” Pass said.
When the couple and their children moved to Auburn a few years ago, frozen yogurt machines and other Freeze materials sat in their basement for two or three years, Pass said.
The duo decided to give Freeze in downtown Auburn a go.
Pass said both owners have full-time jobs, and Wilkerson said the shop is more of a hobby for them.
“They realized Freeze was going to be more successful in Auburn,” Pass said. “In Cincinnati they were within a mile of around three other frozen yogurt shops. Here it’s warmer and downtown brings a lot of foot traffic.”
Pass and Wilkerson said they still see a strong customer flow despite the colder weather.
“It’s kind of like ice cream,” Wilkerson said. “I mean I still go get ice cream when it’s cold. We also still have our regulars and curious people walking through downtown come in”
According to Pass, it is never too cold for dessert.
In addition to frozen yogurt, Freeze mixes fruits and yogurts together to make smoothies, has ‘wag bites’ for dogs and serves acai bowls.
“We also have Freeze-to-go, or frozen yogurt in to-go packaging,” Pass said. “And so, if you don’t like a flavor we currently have available, they’re always here, too.”
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