At family gatherings in her home country of Vietnam, yogurt was a favorite family dessert.

And although Linda Doan has been in the United States since she was 7 years old, it’s still a tradition she holds close to heart.

“Yogurt in the Asian culture — it’s huge,” Doan says. “That is our dessert. Every household has yogurt and fresh fruit.”

Doan began sharing her family tradition with downtown Sarasota residents in 2009 with the opening of Whiteberry, a specialty frozen yogurt shop.

And earlier this month, Doan opened a second location — one she can more easily share with her East County friends and neighbors. Her new shop in The Shoppes at University Center truly offers a taste of nearly everything Doan loves — authentic frozen yogurt, a trendy feel, bright colors and photos of family and friends adorning the walls.

Whiteberry offers of frozen yogurt with a variety of healthy — and not so healthy — toppings with everything from freshly cut kiwi, cantaloupe and strawberries to sprinkles and pieces of chocolate.

“It’s good for you,” she says of her yogurt. “Now everything is so sterile. It’s not true yogurt. Our yogurt has live and active cultures (in it).

“There are so many ice cream shops,” she says. “We need healthy treats, especially for the kids.”

The store also offers all-yogurt-and-fruit smoothies, as well as a special iced coffee — café du monde — from New Orleans.

“It’s the only coffee I drink,” Doan says, laughing. “It has that strong, bitter (taste). It’s like espresso.”

Doan said Whiteberry is joining national efforts to fight childhood obesity and promote health in children with a program designed for elementary and middle schools and family-based organizations. The free Berry Smart Choice Event is a 30-minute, action-packed animated education experience presented by the store’s white polar bear mascot, White Beary, and can be scheduled two to four weeks in advance.

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

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BASICS
Whiteberry
Address: 8519 Cooper Creek Blvd., Sarasota
Phone: 355-5551
Website: www.whiteberryusa.com
Employees: Eight (Four at each store)
What makes this business unique: “We’re very family oriented and very personal,” said owner Linda Doan.

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