Business & Tech

New Business: Red Mango Now Open in Fox Point

The create-your-own frozen yogurt shop saw more than 50 customers in just its first hour of operation Tuesday. But more than a business model, husband-wife owners Peter and Elizabeth Braatz, say they want to give back to the Fox Point and Bayside area.

frozen yogurt shop opened its doors for the first time Tuesday afternoon with a bang when more than 50 customers walked through the door in less than one hour. 

"Honestly, it's been every 15 minutes," owner Peter Braatz said. "Even this weekend, we weren't open, we had nothing saying that we were going to be open, but there's people every 15 minutes coming in and saying 'Hi.' So, we started telling them we'd be open at 2 and there's quite a line."

The create-your-own frozen yogurt shop was originally slated to open in the on June 1, but after some leasing negotiations, finally opened at 3 p.m. Tuesday. 

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"We haven't done any advertising locally, this is just word-of-mouth and that's how people are here," he said. 

And "how people are here" is exactly why Peter and Elizabeth said they chose the Fox Point location. 

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"This shopping center is pretty much full," he said. "There's always cars here, there's tons of people and we have a lot of friends that live in Bayside and Fox Point. I like the area." 

A family affair

With three children under the age of 4, this venture has been eye opening for both Peter and Elizabeth. 

"Our children bring the greatest sense of accomplishment and wonder into our lives. And the opening of our business has shown us that hard work and dedication proves to be the best avenue for success," Elizabeth wrote in a

And in addition to raising children — 3-year-old twins Emma and Carter, and nearly 7-month-old daughter Sydney — and running a business, Peter and Elizabeth also very support of their North Shore communities.

Peter was on the Thiensville Fire Department and was the treasurer for the fundraising arm of the department. He was also an active chairperson for the Ozaukee County chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Elizabeth is a member of the Mequon Mom's Club, writes for Milwaukee Moms and is a group exercise instructor at the YMCA.  

"We're both just really involved in the community, that just comes as second nature to us," Peter said. "So, between just our involvement in the community and our desire to give back and help people out, and also the desire to just have a good, quality product that people like, I have pretty high hopes for what we're going to do."

And that spirit of giving back aligns with the fundamentals of Red Mango. 

Instead of simply throwing away the frozen yogurt when it reaches the end of its life, Peter said Red Mango will team up with a local charity or organization and sell the frozen yogurt for much less than the regular price, donating 100 percent of the profits to that organization or charity. 

"Literally, we'd sell them a gallon of this stuff for 25 cents. It's that or we throw it away," he said. "Nothing goes to waste and we can also help out the community."

But on top of giving back, the fundamental health value of Red Mango products is what attracted both Peter and Elizabeth. Red Mango offers nonfat, gluten-free, Kosher and vegetarian treats. And Peter said if you happen to have an allergy or intolerance, Red Mango employees are happy to bring out ingredients especially for that individual customer. 

"If somebody comes in and says 'I have a peanut allergy' or a gluten intolerance or Celiac disease, we have (employees) go straight into the back and get things fresh out of the container. So, if they say 'I would like to have mangoes,' we'll have them get fresh mangoes so there's no chance (of contamination). It's just a little something extra that's hard to find."

And why is it called Red Mango?

"Because when mangoes ripe, they get a little red spot on it and it signifies the peak of freshness, or the peak of ripeness," Peter said. "So, that's when it has the most amount of nutrients, it's the most beneficial for your body and that's what we focus on — all fresh fruit, fruit that's never frozen, everything is at its peak of ripeness, the most delicious and most beneficial for your body." 

A 'grand' grand opening

Although the shop officially opened its doors Tuesday, a special Grand Opening celebration is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 29. Not only will there be a DJ, but there will also be a photo booth where people can take pictures of their creations, a Miss Mango competition, fake tattoos, stickers, coloring pages and a "big splash" mid-way through that Elizabeth said she can't reveal yet. 

"Now, it's just working out the kinks..." Peter said. "Putting on the finishing touches." 

Hours and information

Red Mango, located at 8663 N. Port Washington Rd.,Fox Point, is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. 


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