Pinkberry Opens on Seventh Avenue in Ten Days

With only ten days left until , the first in Park Slope, the neighborhood seems to be excited and other frozen yogurt businesses in the area are gearing up for new competition.

On July 19, Pinkberry is holding a “friends and family” soft opening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a portion of the proceeds going to be the American Breast Cancer Society Brooklyn Chapter. The next day, July 20, the store on Seventh Avenue at the corner of Garfield Place will open for business at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.

Going forward, Pinkberry will be open starting at 11 a.m. everyday. On Mondays through Wednesdays it will close at 10:30 p.m., on Thursdays it closes at 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays it closes at 12 a.m. and on Sundays it will close at 10 p.m.

The store is almost finished, with the façade complete, and its presence has been gaining some buzz.

And the director of operations at this Pinkberry location, Todd November, is happy about the buzz.

“We are very excited to come to Park Slope,” November said outside of the frozen yogurt shop on Monday. “Park Slope needs it, there’s a lot of ‘Pinkberry groupies’ who live here.”

According to our poll, 78 percent of voters said that Pinkberry is the .

“We have been well received and we are hiring a lot of local kids,” November said.

Although many people passing the store seem happy, the new franchise to owners of other frozen yogurt and ice cream shops in the area means new competition.

“I think they’ll do well, but it’s more competition for me,” said the owner of Haagen Dazs, Danny Lifavi. “Any time there’s more competition it’s harder for existing stores.”

Rachel Whiting, who was eating an ice cream cone in front of Haagen Dazs at the corner of President Street, said she has two different feelings about Pinkberry moving into her neighborhood.

“I am conflicted — I do like their frozen yogurt, but I do enjoy the local businesses that are here,” Whiting said, explaining that she likes to go to Culture on Fifth Avenue. “I wouldn’t want a big chain to push out our small businesses.” 

Lifavi spoke to Whiting’s concern, but did say he is confident he can fight through the competition with help from his loyal customers:

“I just hope patrons keep coming back to my store, too,” Lifavi said in front of his shop, which he has owned since 1991 and has been in Park Slope since 1980. “I hope they realize it’s a struggle and value me still being here.”