A new frozen yoghurt and deli sandwich shop has opened in Hobart’s CBD today, with its owner saying announcements that national chains Yo-Chi and Yo-Bar were coming to the city prompted him to fast-track the launch.
Himan Kapoor and his cousin Sakky Ahuja are opening Swirl & Stacks opposite Myer on Liverpool Street, bringing what they say is a concept new to Tasmania.
Kapoor said the idea was inspired by frequent trips to Melbourne and Sydney, where self-serve frozen yoghurt bars and Italian-style deli sandwich shops are common.
“It was missing in this Hobart community,” he told Pulse.
He said news of major frozen yoghurt players Yo-Chi and Yo-Bar coming to Hobart gave him the push to open sooner rather than later.
Yo-Chi has confirmed it will open its first Tasmanian store in Hobart, while Yo-Bar has announced it will open a Hobart store before Christmas at a yet-to-be-revealed shopping centre location.
“I always had that in my mind, I wanna do this. When you see somebody opening up, you’re like, ‘oh, I might as well just get it up and get it done’,” Kapoor said.
He said he was not too worried about bigger competitors moving into the market.
“I know Tasmanian people really like to support the local businesses,” he said.
The shop will offer self-serve frozen yoghurt, Italian-style ciabatta rolls with loaded fillings, shakes, cold foam matchas and loaded fries.
“We’re just not a froyo bar,” Kapoor said.
“It’s one of a kind restaurant in Hobart.”
The store will have six frozen yogurt flavours on rotation each month, inspired by local and seasonal favourites, along with over 40 toppings to customise every cup.
Kapoor said he and his cousin have been in the hospitality industry for three years, running the Parthenon Souvlaki Bar franchise in North Hobart for around two and a half years.
Swirl & Stacks will open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from midday until 8:30pm for its opening weekend.
Regular trading hours after the opening weekend will be 11am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 11am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
On Saturday, the business is giving away 100 free frozen yoghurt cups from midday until stock runs out.
