Ted Domville | Mass Food & Wine

Oreo Ice Cream within a Chocolate Cookie Cone at WooBerry on Highland Street in Worcester (Photo by Erb Photography)

Dolly Mama Ice Cream From WooBerry on Highland Street in Worcester, MA (Photo Erb Photography) — Dolly Mama (Photo by Erb Photography for WooBerry)

In 2011, Ted Domville opened WooBerry with one simple concept: choose a flavor and add the toppings. With four rotating flavors of frozen yogurt made daily and over 60 toppings to choose from, the concept was quick to catch on and has yielded happy consumers of all ages throughout the four seasons. As WooBerry celebrates its four year anniversary on August 8th, things are about to change: homemade, hard ice cream.

Ted first started making his own ice cream as a chef in North Carolina. These small batches acted as inspiration to the flavors that he’s been developing for WooBerry in Worcester. “I think it’s a bit easier to keep hard ice cream exciting, ” Domville said. “For one, I’m somewhat limited on the yogurt as you can’t get mix-ins through the machine, whereas I have with most of my ice creams. And because I have straight flavors of yogurt for people who aren’t willing to be adventurous, I can get a bit more wild on the ice creams.” Some of the new batches of ice cream include Chocolate Lavender, Strawberry Saffron, Thai Basil and the Dolly Mama (an Aztec chocolate inspired by a chocolatier in North Carolina which includes cinnamon, cayenne, toasted corn, and toasted pumpkin seeds).

The ice cream is perfect for New England where the changing seasons will allow for fresh ingredients to create unique flavors throughout the year.

Starting on August 8th, WooBerry will be serving two “mass appeal” flavors like Vanilla Bean and Oreo along with six unique flavors that are ever changing (even WPI has some influence with the “WPI” Goat cheese/honey/almond ice cream).

On Friday, July 31st, WorcesterScene’s Worcester Foodies group got a chance to try these flavors with rave reviews.

Over the past few years, frozen yogurt has become a hot commodity in major cities around the country! With national franchises like Pinkberry, Red Mango and Yolato popping up all over the country, consumers are warming up to this delicious frozen treat so it was just a matter of time before it made its appearance in Worcester. And the consumer following has been cult-like within the short few weeks it’s been introduced.

WooBerry Frozen Yogurt, the brainchild of Ted Domville opened on Highland Street, across from Sole Proprietor, late August to rave reviews and big crowds. The day WorcesterScene visited, the line was 25 to 35 people deep the entire time we were there. Groups of college-aged kids, retired couples and young families all anxiously waited their turn to make a selection from the enormous and every-changing chalkboard menu of toppings and daily frozen yogurt flavors.

TheBrainChildBehindWooBerry — The Brain Child, Ted Domville, Behind WooBerry Frozen Yogurt

The concept is simple: choose your yogurt flavor from one of the four “made-daily”, kosher and gluten-free featured flavors, then choose as many toppings as you want. The first topping is $.75 and the next ones are $.50. At WooBerry, there is always one free topping every day and jimmies (or “sprinkles” for non New Englanders) are always free. Choosing your topping will not be easy as there are as many as 60 different choices ranging from traditional strawberries, blueberries, peaches, peanut butter cups, nuts, chocolate chips to interesting choices like Dr. Gonzo’s Gummy Bites! WooBerry sources many of its ingredients locally, and believe it or not, makes all its whip cream by hand.

WooBerry has a relaxed yet contemporary feel and it is exactly what Domville wanted. He searched in and around Worcester for the right location, looking for a space where he could create a comfortable, neighborhood shop. When he found the space on Highland Street, he transformed it with brightly colored walls and exposed brick. Choose to sit up front at a table with friends, or hangout in the back on a couch and relax. WooBerry has wi-fi to help you extend your stay.

The staff at WooBerry goes through an extensive 2-day training regiment where they learn all about yogurt and where they are encouraged to try all the flavors and toppings. Want a cup of coffee or a sandwich instead? “Sorry,” says Domville, “We are focused on being the best yogurt shop in the region. There are plenty of great places to eat or have coffee, so enjoy them and when you want yogurt, come back to WooBerry,” he says.

So try WooBerry Frozen Yogurt on Highland Street. We are sure you will love it!