Yogurtland, Marshall Street’s newest store, was well received by Syracuse University students during its soft launch Wednesday.

“We always knew Marshall Street would be a great spot,” Brett Kinsler, co-owner of Yogurtland, said. “Tonight was better than expected, the students have been very welcoming and very excited.”

The store opened its doors at 5 p.m. Wednesday and was met with large crowds throughout the evening, Kinsler said.

Kinsler said his store’s staff has high hopes for its grand opening and today’s successful launch has only strengthened their expectations.

“We just hope we can live up to the students’ expectations,” Kinsler said.

While Kinsler said he still does not know when Yogurtland will have its grand opening, he said the store will be open for limited hours for the remainder of the week. The store is expected to be in full operation by the weekend, he said.

Shao Mei Zhang, a junior policy studies and public health major, stopped by the store for its soft launch and was impressed by the variety.

“I would definitely come here again, I like that they are going to switch up the flavors every once in a while,” Zhang said.

While Zhang thinks Yogurtland — Marshall Street’s only frozen yogurt store — is a good addition to the street, she said she is concerned that the establishment will struggle during Syracuse’s long winter months.

Fatsuma Abdulkadir, a fifth-year biology major, also attended Yogurtland’s soft launch and said she prefers the new frozen yogurt store to Roly Poly’s frozen yogurt.

Like Zhang, Abdulkadir thinks frozen yogurt is a seasonal product that might not be popular during the winter.

“It’s great to have when it’s hot out, but Syracuse’s weather is really unpredictable,” Abdulkadir said. “I think it would have been better if the store opened earlier in August.”

Despite her concerns, Abdulkadir said she will be a returning customer.

“It’s a really nice place and there’s a lot of flavors to choose from,” Abdulkadir said. “I hope the business does well.”

Published on August 30, 2012 at 1:30 am

Contact Alexandra: adhitzle@syr.edu | @LexieHitzler