Frozen yogurt purveyor Pinkberry has closed its shops in Buckhead Triangle in Buckhead and in Avalon in Alpharetta. The two locations reportedly closed without warning Monday morning after opening in 2011 and 2015, respectively. Following their closure, there is only one Atlanta are Pinkberry left at Akers Mill near Cumberland Mall in Cobb county.
The Akers Mill Pinkberry opened in 2010, the first location to open in metro Atlanta. Subsequent locations were added in Buckhead Traingle in Buckhead, Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody, Merchants Walk in East Cobb, within the Macy's at Lenox Square and at Avalon in Alpharetta.
The Pinkberry location in Macy's at Lenox closed this past July, while locations in Merchants Walk and Perimeter Mall closed in 2014 and 2016, respectively. A licensed Pinkberry continues to operate on Concourse A at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The company also previously operated a licensed location on the campus of Valdosta State University.
David Beall, younger son of Ruby Tuesday founder Sandy Beall, was the local Pinkberry franchisee and also owned a number of locations in south Florida. David's older brother Sam is credited with the growth and popularity of upscale getaway Blackberry Farm in East Tennessee. Sam died in a freak skiing accident in Beaver Creek, Colorado in early 2016.
David Beall, younger son of Ruby Tuesday founder Sandy Beall, was the local Pinkberry franchisee and also owned a number of locations in south Florida. David's older brother Sam is credited with the growth and popularity of upscale getaway Blackberry Farm in East Tennessee. Sam died in a freak skiing accident in Beaver Creek, Colorado in early 2016.
Pinkberry, launched in West Hollywood in 2005, is seen by many as the original contemporary American frozen yogurt, but the company has struggled in recent years, and in late 2015 was purchased by multi-brand franchise owner Kahala Brands. Kahala, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, owns over a dozen franchise concepts including Atlanta-born Planet Smoothie, Blimpie, Cold Stone Creamery and Baja Fresh, among others.
It's unclear what, if anything, may open in the former Buckhead Pinkberry, but it's space is not even listed as available (or occupied) on the Selig Properties site plan for Buckhead Triangle. Surely Mark Toro has an "incredibly exciting", "experiential" concept "interested" in the vacant space in Avalon.
Do you think Pinkberry is over-hyped? What would you like to see open in place of Pinkberry in Buckhead Triangle? What is your favorite frozen yogurt shop in metro Atlanta?
Please share your thoughts below.