If you’ve ever wished for a quick break in the middle of a long day, Yogurt Beach in Eagan delivers exactly that feeling. The company tagline says it best: Escape to the ultimate 10-minute vacation. Bright colors, friendly service, and rotating flavors make the shop feel like a small getaway, palm tree included.
Yogurt Beach began in Reno, Nevada, in 2011, founded by a cousin of Doreen Ehler. The brand has grown to about 17 locations nationwide, and the Eagan shop is owned and operated as a licensee by Doreen and her children, Sidney and Carson Baldi. The licensee structure gives them the outline to follow while still letting them put their own personality into the space.
The idea began years ago during visits to Reno. “Whenever we went, we always made a point to get fro-yo,” Doreen said. “But when we got home and tried other places, it just didn’t taste the same. It was good, but not the same.” That craving stuck, and eventually, it sparked the question: What if we opened one here?
A Family Project Takes Shape
In 2025, the idea landed at the perfect moment. Doreen’s daughter, Sidney, had just finished bakery and pastry school. With her passion for sweets and flavor development, the timing lined up beautifully. Opening a shop together meant they could finally bring the taste they loved from Reno straight to Minnesota.
The long-term plan? Sidney hopes to develop original flavors for the Eagan location. “It’s right up her alley,” Doreen said. “We’re excited to see what she creates down the road.”
Community at the Heart of It
While they’re still settling into the business side of things, Doreen has already seen how community-focused the Yogurt Beach brand is. Fundraisers, local partnerships, and encouraging people to hang out in the space are all part of the culture.
Eagan groups have jumped right in. Yogurt Beach has partnered with local hockey, baseball, softball, and choir programs. One choir fundraiser nearly hit $1,000, its most successful gift card fundraiser so far. Any local organization can reach out through the website form or by emailing fundraisingMN@yogurtbeach.com. Doreen welcomes creative ideas and is always open to finding a fundraising style that suits each group.
A Palm Tree in Minnesota
Walk into the store, and one detail immediately steals the show: a huge palm tree in the center of the room. Other Yogurt Beach locations often use preserved palm plants inside, but that isn’t exactly a safe bet during a Minnesota winter. So when Doreen’s space came with a support post near the center of the shop, the family decided to have fun with it.
Instead of trying to hide the post, they turned it into a playful focal point. They found a company that could design a custom palm tree wrap, bringing the Yogurt Beach theme to life in a way that fits the climate.
“I love the giant palm tree,” Doreen said. “It’s my favorite thing about coming to work.”
Flavors That Keep Changing (and Returning Favorites)
Yogurt Beach Eagan carries 14 flavors across seven machines, each with a twist option. Every month, they swap out six to eight flavors to keep things fresh. Some favorites, though, are sticking around for good.
Dole pineapple soft serve has already earned a loyal following. Pairing it with rotating Dole flavors, like strawberry or lemon, creates a swirl that tastes like a cup of sunshine.
As for personal favorites, the family has strong opinions. Doreen loves the classic vanilla-chocolate twist because it reminds her of the early McDonald’s twist cones in Minnesota. A peanut-butter-banana combination is another favorite. Her son, Carson Baldi, goes for mint chocolate chip. Sidney chooses chocolate yogurt loaded with Reese’s peanut butter cups and a drizzle of peanut butter sauce.
Parties, Gatherings, and Cups-To-Go
Yogurt Beach isn’t available for full rental, but families often celebrate birthdays and small events inside. A quick heads-up is all the shop needs to reserve a space. For off-site gatherings, they offer cups-to-go so guests can build their own treats wherever the party happens.
A Sweet Addition to Eagan
Whether you’re stopping in for an afternoon treat, partnering for a fundraiser, or just craving a tiny break in your day, Yogurt Beach brings something warm and welcoming to the Eagan community. With Doreen and her family at the helm, it’s more than a fro-yo shop. It’s a gathering place shaped by people who genuinely love what they’re building.
“We wanted the fro-yo we loved in Reno, and now we get to share it with Eagan while helping local groups reach their goals.”