Nashville's Latest Lines are for Frozen Yogurt!
In a city where people routinely wait in line for hot chicken, the latest queue can be found around frozen Greek yogurt, gelato, and ice cream spots.
Since opening in Wedgewood Houston, Culture Club has drawn crowds large enough to require velvet ropes and steady production to keep up with demand.
The appeal goes beyond cooling off on a hot day..."I think nostalgia is really strong right now," Culture Club's Bear Kaminer, who co-founded the shop with his brother PJ Kaminer, said. "People are longing for the experiences and connections that make them feel uniquely human".
Kaminer said social media and influencer attention, in part, fueled the shop's early popularity, but he hopes customers see Culture Club as more than a trendy backdrop. "This is a family-owned and run business," he said. "We don't have investors, we don't have institutional money behind this. My brother and I started them from scratch."
At 1212 Martin Street, Culture Club is drawing crowds that sometimes exceed 1,000 people daily. The shop's frozen Greek yogurt is made in-house from real strained yogurt, kefir, and skim milk, without any artificial stabilizers or tart powders. James Beard-nominated pastry chef Noelle Marchetti, formerly of Yolan, oversees toppings including house-made sourdough brownies and gluten-free cookie dough.
"Though she brings serious pedigree, Culture Club is, at its heart, fun. The ability to bring happiness and joy, and be that place of connection, is really deeply satisfying." Kaminer said.