When a broker was showing Nikki Fain and Angie Fuller vacant buildings around Cobb, one grabbed their attention and hearts and wouldn’t let go.

“We got out and we got so excited, and it felt like the dress, you know, the wedding dress,” Fuller said.

And eight weeks later, after fixing up the former PJ’s Coffee and Wine Bar off Dallas Highway, they’re ready for the West Cobb community to try on the dress.

On Friday, the doors to Menchie’s frozen yogurt at the Village at Old Trace shopping center will open to the public for the first time—though, as some already know, Fain and Fuller have been handing out free samples to curious passersby.

The friends had been wanting to start a business together since meeting through their children’s gymnastics program 15 years ago. Then, Fuller had the spark.

“She came to me last summer and said, ‘I’ve got the perfect business,’” said Fain, 39. “So she showed me, and we fell in love with the colors (pink, purple and green) and the atmosphere and the culture of Menchie’s.

“The mission statement is ‘We make you smile,’ and that’s something we want to do.”

Along with Fain's husband Brannon, the Calhoun, GA residents plan to start two more of the franchise stores within three years. They chose West Cobb for their first because of the quality of the schools and their current interactions with the area through other projects.

One of those is Fuller’s Masada Water company, which donates 90 percent of its profits to humanitarian efforts (the water will be sold at the store).

Menchie’s will be serving 16 individual flavors of yogurt and eight “twists” that combine two flavors. Hundreds of topping options—M&M’s, Oreos, cashews, fruits and more—will also be available.

There are 17 Menchie’s in Georgia and nearly 200 nationwide. Another is soon to open in Dacula.

The West Cobb store has a party room, two firepits outside, chalkboards, upbeat music, free WiFi, and a crew member who will dress up in a Menchie costume for parties and when the store gets busy.

As for the owners’ favorite flavors:

“I like cookies and cream with red velvet cake,” Fain said, “but some days I’m in a fruit mood, and if I’m in a fruit mood, I like the banana-peach mix.”

Fuller, 37, said she is a “tart fan.”

“I’m huge with the original tart with kiwi and strawberry,” she said, “but then when I want to get on the other side, I like to do a white chocolate macadamia with some peanuts.”

Details and upcoming events:

Hours
Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight

Friday, May 11
First day open

Sunday, May 13
For Mother’s Day, 10 percent discounts will be offered, and from 2 to 4 p.m., free photos with Menchie and photo frames will be handed out.

Saturday, May 19
For the grand opening, free yogurt will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the first 50 customers will get a free T-shirt, lots of other giveaways will take place, and local garage bands are set to play. School bands and cheerleading squads are also in the works.

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