The frozen yogurt and smoothie shop closed their location at North Decatur Center at the intersection of North Decatur and Clairmont Roads last week.
Dallas, Texas-based Red Mango, an international froyo chain, entered the market (via a local franchisee) in 2010. The first location opened in Dunwoody in Septemberfollowed by Emory / Decatur in December. A third was slated for Howell Mill Village near Howell Mill and Collier Roads, but given troubles the existing stores were experiencing, those plans were abandoned. (Chipotle Mexican Grill opened in the space last year)
Despite being Zagat rated as the #1 smoothie / frozen yogurt, the chain failed to gain momentum or a consistent following in Atlanta. The Decatur location was definitely the better performing of the two, and was fairly popular among Emory students. Emory, of course, is not quite back in session for all students, and clearly Red Mango could no longer wait for their arrival.
I'm not quite sure how they were left off my most recent DeathWatch in March, but they definitely should have been on it. On that note, Pinkberry, which had been on the list, will likely be removed, as they seem to have finally carved out a niche and gained a following.
Red Mango's local facebook page is already wiped from existence and they are also gone from the Red Mango website. A sign posted on the door reads :
"We are closed!"
"Please contact fatfreellc@gmail.com if you are interested in this location"
Given the issues that Red Mango has had, would someone really want to reopen this location as the sign seems to suggest?
Encino, California-based Menchies has closed a number of shops in Atlanta as well, among them, locations in Buckhead and Johns Creek.
Atlanta-based Yoforia has also struggled as of late with closures in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Perimeter Mall, Alpharetta and Kennesaw, among others.
Texas-based Swirllexited the market entirely having closed their three locations in Buckhead, Brookhaven and Dunwoody.
Even Yogurtland closed one of their three area locations and has steadily raised their prices, a tactic often instituted when there is a decrease in competition.
Downtown Decatur is home to homegrown favorite The Yogurt Tap, but more recently has seen Froyolo and Swirlin' Twirlin' around downtown Decatur and the square.
I've covered FroYo extensively on this blog in the past. To check out one of the best prior posts, clickhere.
Where do you go for froyo? What should open in place of Red Mango? Is the FroYo fad out cold or just taking a breather?