'Paradise' on Asbury Avenue: Yoasis Opens Friday

cuts the ribbon on its new downtown frozen yogurt shop on Friday (March 2) at 1 p.m.

City and Chamber of Commerce officials wll be on hand for the official opening of the shop, which will be open noon to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Tina Spadafora, a 2005 Ocean City High School graduate, brought three things when she returned from California last summer: a marketing degree from the University San Diego (2009), a taste for the frozen yogurt that's popular out there and a determination to open her own shop.

After considering (more expensive) leasing options on the Boardwalk, Spadafora found her opportunity when vacated its spot at 838 Asbury Avenue shortly after the new year.

Spadafora has been busy since January renovating the shop with the help of her father and mother, Tom and Cindy Spadafora, owners of and .

Yoasis will feature 16 flavors of frozen yogurt ranging from "Dreamy Dark Chocolate" and "Espresso" to "Red Velvet Cupcake" and "Thin Mint Cookies" (a tribute to the Girl Scout cookies of the same name). Varieties include "Orange Sorbet" (a non-dairy option) and "No-Sugar-Added Chocolate."

Customers swirl their own mix of flavors from self-serve machines and move to a toppings table that includes a wide variety of fruit toppings, traditional toppings (like chocolate chips) and special toppings such as cheesecake bites and s'mores.

Customers weigh their creations and pay by the ounce (59 cents per).

The shop will also feature fresh coffee and five flavors of coconut water (a health drink fortified with electrolytes, vitamins and minerals). A small number of high-top tables in the shop will let customers take advantage of free wi-fi.

While the ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Friday, a grand-opening celebration is scheduled for noon Saturday (March 3) with the first 50 customers getting free T-shirts. Yogurt will be half-price from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and the shop may have extended evening hours.

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Yoasis Your Yogurt Paradise

Where: 838 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. daily

Payment: Cash only

Phone: 609-525-2100

Online: www.yogurt-oasis.com or on Facebook (Scan a QR Code at the shop to visit Facebook page.)

Try this: Banana Whips start with frozen bananas but end with the texture of custard. Mixed fruits add flavor.