Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Pinkberry: What's the Big Deal?
()
With news of more locations poised to serve, it's about damn time we did a little investigative journalism.
Pinkberry: Come on, now, really? Isn't it just frozen yogurt? What's the big deal?
Pinkberry is the little yogurt shop that could--and has--bloomed into a behemoth of local franchises, and with all the hype, they seem set to convert you to be one of their kind.
Every trend loves its skeptics, and we count ourselves among the unsure. We began to notice that the murmurs about this West Hollywood hot spot with cold treats getting louder last year. Then we heard tales of people waiting in line--yes, waiting in line!--sometimes over an hour, just for a cup of one of their two flavor offerings--yes, a mere two--of plain vanilla or green tea. "This is absurd!" we scoffed. How could frozen yogurt tame impatient taste-seekers to queue up like Cold War Russians? Was it just a scene where it's good to be seen, or had the Pinkberry geniuses crafted some sort of miracle tonic in the form of a swirly-top iced dessert product?
Support for LAist comes from
Over the next few months, "Coming Soon: Pinkberry!" signs cropped up all over town. One such sign eclipsed the sign above the door to our favorite local Boba Bar in Studio City. Pinkberry was coming to take a bite of the Valley. Like, OhMyGod, Okay? We waited until the opening buzz died down, and then approached with caution.
()
Inside our nearest Pinkberry things were humming along merrily in the mid-afternoon. It's a bit like a Japanese pop-music acid trip in there, with shiny plastic mod seats in green and orange, things dangling from the ceiling, and cheery staff behind a modest display case of toppings. We placed our order, then stood back to wait. When our plain yogurt with kiwi cubes, raspberries, and crumbled Oreos (it came with three free toppings, so, why not?) was up we snatched it off the counter and surveyed the cup. Here we go, we thought. The mighty Pinkberry.
The fruit made for a nice balance against the stark tang of the more natural-style frozen yogurt. It's not coyingly sweet, but rather more refreshingly tart, like straight up ice milk. We worked our way from the swirled peak to the base of the cardboard cup, dropped our plastic spoon in the empty container and wiped our face. And that was that. Mystery solved.
Pinkberry: It's just frozen yogurt. It's good, and probably a better dessert habit than a Coldstone creation. But wait in line for it? No. The big deal? Honestly, there isn't one.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist