Yogurt Wars in Encino

With the opening this month of both Menchie’s and Yogurtland across the street from each other at Encino Commons, this should make for an interesting battle. PureNaked Yogurt (by Coral Tree) is practically invisible so it doesn’t count, and Blizz (by the Sprint store) disappeared before it even opened.

The new stores are generating lots of interest so we decided to check them out. First, I believe people go out for entertainment, not for yogurt. Yogurt is a means to an end.

In Menchie’s favor: streetside ambience that appeals to all generations and a service where customers draw their own yogurt (more fun). In Yogurtland’s favor: cheaper prices so far, more health-conscious, more exotic flavors and tastes and fewer crowds – partly explained since they literally just opened. Both stores provided good quality yogurt, both offer kosher (if that matters to you) and gluten-free (mostly anyway) and both seem to think pink and green are required colors. Both have adequate seating although Menchie’s has more.

But the main difference…

and this is why Menchie’s wins narrowly, is its location. It seems connected to the street and sidewalk outside in the same way Aroma is or Itzik Hagadol is. Yogurtland is really another traditional retail outlet at the back of a parking lot where they serve you from behind a counter and then you go and sit down. They hope to draw clientele among movie-goers and those going to Nature’s Power, Michael’s, The Spot, and so on, but it runs the risk of being old-fashioned. People increasingly want open-air public spaces where they have freedom to stroll – it’s why The Grove or Century City work. The retail environment that is going to be a winner on Ventura Blvd, so long as it remains a semi-freeway, is the one that engages with the street, not with the parking lot or the Mall.

For a full list of Encino yogurt stores, use the Directory here.