CHECKING IN WITH ... TUTTI FRUTTI:

With recognizable names like Pinkberry, Red Mango and Ice Kiss, the frozen yogurt craze has taken over in Southern California. Newport Beach is no exception, as Tutti Frutti on Balboa Island’s Marine Avenue has attracted local customers with its sweet and healthy delight. The store’s lively atmosphere, with hit songs booming in the background, surely keeps them coming, too.

This week, we checked in with co-owner Nadia Bakho, who opened the Tutti Frutti franchise three months ago with partner Radim Konecny in the hopes of capitalizing on the popularity of yogurt. So far, so good, she says.

What motivated you and Radim to open Tutti Frutti?

We both love yogurt. We got into the self-serve concept in our research, and we thought it would be an excellent idea for Balboa Island.

Why does yogurt appeal so much to people right now?

The yogurt business has come back after 20 years of being down. It went away but now it’s back in full force.

The health benefits have been big. We have good yogurt, which has probiotics. It also has other benefits, like helping the immune system and lowering cholesterol.

People want dessert but everybody worries about the health benefits. This is the alternative you can have without feeling guilty. It works for everyone. Older people can get fruit toppings while teenagers can get all the good stuff.

How has the response been so far from customers?

We’re the talk of the town. You see all of our cups in the trash cans down the street. That’s a testament to how popular it’s been. We have regulars that come every day.

What makes Tutti Frutti different from the other yogurt chains around?

We believe our product is the best ever, and not just because it’s ours. We’ve done our research.

This is your first significant business venture. What has it been like for you?

It’s been great. Absolutely awesome. The local Balboa residents have been great with their support. Once our name gets out, we’ll be busier. We plan to do more advertising by the end of the year.

How many flavors and toppings do you have? What are some of the most popular and healthy items available?

We have 12 flavors and 30 toppings. The most popular, of course, is strawberries. The healthiest are blueberries and mangoes. Cookie dough, cheesecake bites and Reese’s cups have all been popular, too.