1.
Perfect Combination of Designer and Open-minded Client
Shelly Hwang was working on her Tea Room idea when she hired her
future partner Young Lee to be a designer. When the Tea Room concept
failed, for multiple reasons, the two decided to try a completely
different and new concept – Healthy Yogurt Shop. The original
Tea Room space was too small and the local Building Department did
not allow any room for seating outside. A yogurt shop did not need
that much seating or space.
2.
The New Yogurt is Healthy!
Instead
of trying to make their yogurt taste good by using more sugar or
fat, the owners took a different approach looking at what is being
done overseas. “I got the idea for this kind of yogurt when
I visited Vienna in 1993 and first tasted a specific kind of soft
serve gelato-like yogurt…” said Lee. Shelly, who is
also a cook, refined the taste of the yogurt to perfection by experimenting.

3.
Keep The Concept Simple!
The
main idea is to concentrate on only a few flavors of yogurt instead
of having a variety of different products. Simplicity is the real
key here which allows more time for mastering your product’s
uniqueness. Pinkberry has only 3 to 6 main flavors, depending on
the season. They also provide fewer toppings, which are carefully
selected to be fresh and healthy.

4.
Quality of Design and Materials
The interior design is a great reflection of
the essence of your business. For Pinkberry, trying to convince
even the landlord was tough, but in the end the results were obvious.
“I would tell them my design ideas, which included $600
tables, $350 chairs and a $1,200 bench. I wanted to use an expensive
build-out that made everything reflective. They thought we were
crazy to spend that kind of money when the average yogurt ticket
was only $6,” said Lee, the architect of Pinkberry. You
don’t want to look like an amateur to your clients when
you are creating a new concept.

5.
Have Fun With Design!
Pinkberry has a pebble floor which reminds us
of a hot summer day at the beach when you can’t wait to
get ice cream! Lee specified Philippe Starck’s Victoria
Ghost chairs and a George Nelson-inspired bench. “Scandinavian
designs give the place a retro-modern look with green circle dots
to evoke Danish butter and dairy products.” Le Klint lamps
look like yogurt swirls.

All the pictures were taken by Mindful Design
at the local San Diego Pinkberry location. See more images HERE.
Are you thinking about making architectural changes
in your business? Contact us HERE!
Take a look at other yogurt shop designs including 2 yogurt shops
designed by Mindful Design Consulting HERE.
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