As temperatures continue to rise this summer, Newton County residents won’t have to travel too far for a cold, tasty treat after the opening of Mr. Mike’s Frozen Yogurt in Newton. Although the shop has been opened since May 30, the Newton Chamber of Commerce will host its official grand opening and ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Friday.
Owners Mike and Esther Smith came up with the idea due to Esther’s love for frozen yogurt and the lack of a dedicated yogurt or ice cream establishment in the county. Esther got to taste different yogurt shops all over the South while they traveled to their daughter Hannah’s college softball games.
One brand, Honey Hill Farms, stood out from the rest to Esther because of its great taste.
“My wife went to a lot of states, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, just everywhere where they would have games, and she would stop in yogurt shops along the way,” Mike said. “That’s how we decided to go with Honey Hill Farms. She had tested all of them and that’s the one she liked the best. That’s why we went with them and it has been really good.”
Based in Arkansas, Honey Hill farms has produces yogurt for more than 30 years along with partner Sugar Creek Foods, a 70-year old company.
“They’re a family run business, and I come from a family run business and I liked that about them,” Esther said. “And the way they make and produce their product is really very wholesome and nutritional.”
Mike’s has been a turkey-hunting guide for many years and Esther has helped run her family’s business, the Decatur Telephone Company, but neither had experience running an eatery. At first, they considered opening the shop in Esther’s hometown of Decatur, but she decided that the vacant space at the Newton Junction near the busy I-20 off ramp would be the best for traffic.
When it came time to name the business, their daughter’s softball games again served as inspiration.
“Mike has helped coach softball with Hanna in summer leagues, and all the other softball players would call him Mr. Mike, and that name kind of stuck,” Esther said.
The shop opened in May they gave away free cups of yogurts for the first two days. Esther said they gave away 920 cups of yogurt in those two days and the customers have kept coming ever since.
“The traffic has been really great, and the reception has been excellent in this little community. They’re all excited that we’re here,” she said. “I don’t know if I ever thought the response would as good as it is but folks like yogurt as much as I do.”
Mike said they try to change up the flavors each week but they keep some of the customers’ favorite flavors in a freezer just in case. Mr. Mike also features a host of toppings from Gummi Bears to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Esther said outgoing Newton Mayor David Carr has been a good supporter of the shop since it opened and the Smiths opted to hold their grand opening on Carr’s last day in office on Friday.
Students from area vacation Bible schools have also held parties at the shop and with 34 reviews, Mr. Mike’s still has a perfect 5 out of 5 rating on its Facebook page.
