Greater Louisville has no shortage of places to satisfy a froyo fix, and now that this miserable winter is finally behind us, we're more than ready for a little hands-on research into which ones make the cut for best in town. Though both sides of the bridge boast a number of great businesses for scoring sweet treats this summer, Swirlz in Jeffersonville earns the spot at the top of our list because of its dedicated kid-friendly space.
Swirlz re-opened under new ownership in December of 2013, and owner Chris Hicks is frequently in the store during our visits. Energetic and funny, he's always eager to hear our feedback about how to make the spot a community staple. The rest of the staff—most notably Amy, the awesome manager—is responsive and personable. They're especially engaging and animated with my two year old, and after a trip to Swirlz, my daughter usually can't stop talking about whoever was working during our visit for at least the rest of the week.
Candy frozen yogurt toppings at Swirlz.
I'm no frozen yogurt connoisseur—it all tastes pretty good to me—so I can't say whether or not Swirlz is blowing away the competition in this regard. But they do offer fresh-brewed coffee (I obviously needed no additional selling points), plus a handful of drinks from a fancy self-serve espresso robot. Swirlz also champions the cupcake prowess of Morgan Coomer, owner of the local and much beloved Sweets by Morgan. (Be prepared for this if your toddler, like mine, thinks that simply by virtue of seeing a cupcake it means she will at some point in the very near future be eating it, even with that cup of rainbow sprinkle froyo in hand.)
The store is clean, bright, and welcoming—a place where people are invited to settle in, get comfortable, and hang out. More than the friendly staff and the shelf of board games in the back, what's most indicative of this is the corner that's been walled off on three sides and repurposed into the KidZone. With a tot-sized table, two giant chalk boards, an assortment of coloring books and crayons, an impressive collection of wooden blocks and a Lego table, the area is a magical haven perfect for entertaining a toddler for an hour or so in the afternoon. Honestly, the frozen yogurt is just a bonus.
An assortment of blocks and art supplies in the KidZone at Swirlz.
A good find for birthday parties, baby showers, and other group events, Swirlz is also big into philanthropy and assisting with community fundraising efforts. A great addition to Jeffersonville and totally worth the couple of extra miles across the bridge from Louisville, Swirlz is a gem for parents with toddlers.
2784 Meijer Drive, Jeffersonville
(812) 551-0120
Monday – Saturday: 12 PM to 10 PM
Sunday: 12 PM to 9 PM
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Photo Credit: Kirsten Clodfelter
