RUSSELL — Amy and Eric Robinette get a dreamy look in their eyes when they talk about the research they had to do before opening Yoasis, their frozen yogurt shop.

“We tasted many different brands of frozen yogurt all over the country,” Mrs. Robinette said with a grin, adding they tasted and retasted many products before deciding on what they found to be the best for their store in the Ashland Plaza off Diederich Boulevard next to Hobby Lobby.

Mrs. Robinette, a local Weight Watchers’ employee who lost 100 with the program, explains she had a strong desire to follow her family’s example of investing in Ashland while bringing local residents a healthy option for a tasty treat. A member of the Mansbach family, Mrs. Robinette said she had a strong desire to bring Yoasis to the Ashland market “because I really believe in small-town America.”

Quality frozen yogurt seemed a good way to give local residents a taste of healthy food without sacrificing the fun, she said. “I encourage people to choose healthy, but still enjoy life.”

After years of traveling two to three hours to investigate frozen yogurt options, Mrs. Robinette said she “just begged my husband until he finally let me open my own.” The couple decided on a line of frozen yogurt products made by Dannon, attended “yogurt school” in New York City and soon found a perfect place to set up shop. A soft opening last weekend brought out an overflow crowd, and business has been strong since their official opening Monday morning.

“We have been very, very, very busy, and the city of Russell and the surrounding area have been so welcoming,” she said.

With confidence in their product line, Mrs. Robinette said they decided to open the first Yoasis shop instead of buying into a franchise. At any given time, Yoasis will feature a dozen flavors of frozen yogurt, which will be offered in rotation from a total of 80 flavors, as well as a sorbet for those who are lactose intolerant. The flavors can be dispensed one at a time, or swirled in strategic combinations such as chocolate and peanut butter to create a Reese’s Cup flavor, before customers add their choice of toppings such as fresh fruits and candies. Once a frozen yogurt creation is complete, the selection is weighed and priced by the ounce. Staff members are prepared to make recommendations, such as Andes Mints on dark chocolate frozen yogurt, although Mrs. Robinette said customers rarely need much guidance.

“What we find is people come in with their own concoction in mind,” she said.

Mrs. Robinette said customers may use unlimited sample cups to determine which flavor or flavors they want. Seasonal flavors including candy cane, eggnog, gingerbread and pumpkin will help keep the selections interesting during cold months, she said, adding, “I eat frozen yogurt year-round.” Yogurt comes in a range of fat-free, low-fat and no-sugar-added varieties, with information about each yogurt flavor posted on the appropriate soft-serve machine.

“We wanted a place where a family could come and have fun with four kids for under $20,” Mrs. Robinette said.

For her husband, the frozen yogurt business has already proven to be a dramatic change from his past 11 years with Nationwide Insurance. He chuckles while comparing the stress of helping a customer understand a bill with the demands of someone saying, “Hey. Ice cream!” Robinette designed the new parlor and his wife decorated the place.

“It had to be perfect,” she said, explaining they wanted something light and bright with cheerful colors to enhance a family-friendly environment. Lime green, black and white colors are accented with modern “S” chairs and tables and “funky light fixtures.”

 The shop employs nine, and Robinette said they used local contractors and material sources. Pointing out the dozen soft-serve machines along the wall, he said Slone’s Refrigeration of Ashland did an outstanding job installing the equipment and teaching them how to maintain and use the machines.

Yoasis is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Hours are subject to change, the Robinettes said, especially in consideration of crowds anticipated after Russell High School football games. For more information, call (606) 325-0710.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.