For two best friends from Rockland County, combining know-how with a concern for kids has led to a new frozen yogurt shop for Mahwah residents.

Jason Lin and Song Gao, who have been friends since Kindergarten, officially opened their new Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Shop in the A&P Shopping Plaza on Franklin Turnpike this weekend. The new place contains self-serve low and nonfat frozen yogurt flavors and a toppings bar. It also serves low-fat smoothies, bubble tea and other refreshing snacks and drinks.

“My family is in the restaurant business, so I’ve been working in the industry since I was 15,” Lin said. “And, ever since I had my daughters, I’ve realized how important it is for kids and families to have a fun, safe place to go hang out together. Blurberry combines those two things.”

The dad of twin three-and-a-half year old girls said he first started wanting to open a froyo shop after a trip to NYC with his wife and daughters. “We saw a line outside a shop, and I wanted to know what kind of business it was,” he said. “That was the first time we’d been to a frozen yogurt place. And, every time we went to the city after that, my daughters asked to go back. That had me start thinking, 'this is really a big thing.'"

Lin decided to partner with his lifelong best buddy to make his hunch into a reality. The pair chose to open in Mahwah because, “there aren’t really any businesses like this in the Mahwah-Suffern area,” Lin said.

The duo decided to set their shop apart by having it be a “fun hang out for kids,” he explained. So, there are cartoons on the shop’s TV, and a kid and teen party room complete with flashing lights and seating that lights up in neon colors. Blueberry invites walk-in group traffic or scheduled birthday parties to use the funky room.

The business, Lin said, is also focused on health. Blueberry offers fresh fruits cut daily, and each yogurt flavor has potential allergens and nutritional information posted next to it. “I know because of my kids how important it is to know what they are eating, so I wanted to focus on that as much as possible,” Lin said.

The owners said they hope Blueberry will attract area families looking for fun.

“I think kids and families in this area need a place to hang out, and this is a nice place with a good atmosphere and good froyo,” Lin said. We want people to be able to come in, sit down, and enjoy their time here.”

Blueberry is located at 139 Franklin Turnpike, and is open Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

--

Follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your email inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.