Yeti Frozen Yogurt & Cafe shutters, follows recent small business closures
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Yeti Frozen Yogurt & Cafe on Westcott Street served its last frozen yogurt cups and ice cream nachos this past weekend.
“I had to say goodbye to all my amazing YETI customers, families, children, and puppy dogs,” the store’s owner wrote in a Facebook post Saturday. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out. I tried my best.”
The closure marks a recent pattern of small businesses in Syracuse shutting their doors in the past few months — including Strong Hearts Cafe and J-Michael Shoes.
Owner Thomas Ascioti, who planned on retiring several months ago, bought the cafe in 2019. Ascioti quickly expanded its menu to offer more than just frozen yogurt — paninis, soups, salads and more.
The space will be occupied by Stackhouse Deli, according to the store’s Facebook post. Ascioti told syracuse.com that he tried combining the cafe with Stackhouse Deli, but always planned to retire. Although the menu has not been released, the deli’s Facebook page says that it will serve burgers, fries, waffles, crepes and frozen yogurt.
Locals enjoy visiting the neighborhood’s restaurants for their favorite dishes from each spot, Ascioti told The Daily Orange in December 2024. He said his customers often have a meal from the Latin restaurant Las Delicias down the street before coming to his cafe for dessert.
Ascioti said Yeti’s customers included “a blend of locals and students.” On Thursdays, Yeti even offered a special discount to Syracuse University students if they wore SU merchandise. Much like other local frozen yogurt shops, Yeti hosted Weightless Wednesdays — where all frozen yogurt is one set price instead of being priced by its weight.
While it’s unclear when the two businesses combined and when Stackhouse Deli will officially open as its own store, Yeti’s Facebook announcement was flooded with comments from customers.
“We tried to merge the two restaurants together, but unfortunately, it didn’t work,” Yeti Frozen Yogurt & Cafe wrote in its comment section. “Love you all.”
