Self-serve frozen yogurt shop opens this week

Cape Girardeau's newest dessert spot, Simply Swirled, will open Thursday.

The self-serve frozen yogurt shop is at 274 S. Mount Auburn Road, near McAlister's Deli, and owned by local women Angela Schlitt, Allyson Leckie and Lori Laramore.

Simply Swirled will have 10 flavors with the ability to swirl some flavors together for a total of 15 options. One dairy-free sorbet option will also be available. A total of 36 toppings -- including fruits, candies, granola and several sauces -- are offered.

"You come in and pick up a cup, fill your cup how full you want it, choose your toppings and weigh and pay by the ounce," Laramore said.

That way customers can get as much or as little as they like and pay for exactly what they want, she said. To celebrate its grand opening, all 5-ounce yogurt cups will be $1 on Thursday.

The owners were inspired to open Simply Swirled after visiting other self-serve frozen yogurt shops.

"You hear people who go out of town and they go to these and they love them and there's just not one around here," Laramore said.

Simply Swirled also has a gathering room for parties and group meetings.

A list of flavors can be found at www.simplyswirled.com. Simply Swirled will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

* A group of determined representatives in the U.S. Congress are attempting to force House leadership to move on the stalled farm bill. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican, along with about 30 Democrats and eight other Republicans have signed a discharge petition to try to make the House leadership bring up the farm bill for debate and a vote. The House of Representatives is only in session for four days before many farm programs established in the 2008 farm bill will expire. The House approved $383 million in disaster relief in August, but Congress went home before the Senate acted on the bill. The Senate had previously passed a disaster aid package as part of a five-year farm bill, but Republican leaders in the House refused to bring it to a vote. Many Republicans object to the nearly $80 billion included for the food stamp program.

Southeast Missourian Business Editor Melissa Miller can be reached by email at mmiller@semissourian.com or by phone at 388-3646.