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Mt. Lebanon's Piccadilly Takes Frozen Artisan Yogurt to the Next Level
Piccadilly Artisan Yogurt is taking the frozen yogurt trend to the next level with its commitment to using organic, local milk and healthful — even vegan — ingredients.
Imagine walking into a modern frozen yogurt shop as a child for the first time. You scan a wall of enticing flavors on tap. You pull each lever and watch the yogurty goodness swirl into your cup, as if you were in the wondrous world of Willy Wonka. You walk up to the selection of self-serve toppings with a rapt grin. There are endless options that include candies, confections, and an array of fresh fruit — all the colors!
It doesn’t come as a surprise that adults experience the same euphoria when getting their fro-yo fill. So when Lyl Rose heard the news that Yogli Mogli on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon wasn’t reopening this summer, she leaped to find a solution.
A British Airways flight attendant until this past June, Lyl spent her precious off-hours with her husband, Billy, and three children, Madison, Ian, and Mallory. She also managed the apartments above the aforementioned retail space, as Billy owns the building. While in Cleveland with Ian for a basketball tournament, she discovered Piccadilly Artisan Yogurt. Its product was organic and unlike any frozen yogurt she had ever tasted. Its atmosphere was inviting, and it was exactly the business she wanted to bring to Pittsburgh.
In getting to know owner Adrian Bota, she learned he sourced the milk for his yogurt from grass-fed Guernsey cows at a partner farm located between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. These super special cattle — there are approximately 6,000 of them in the U.S. — produce the highest quality organic milk and cream without any antibiotics or growth hormones. Without hesitation, Lyl approached Adrian about opening a Piccadilly in Pittsburgh. From there, the pair worked together to make bringing Piccadilly to Pittsburgh a realty. The company’s mission of living “beyond organic,” embracing sustainable practices, and supporting local drove the renovation of the space. In under two months, Lyl, Billy, and a close group of their friends got to work on recreating the interior into what she dubs “industrial barn” style. They scoured for reclaimed palette wood and salvaged doors to construct the Pittsburgh skyline, and Billy installed white subway tile for a clean, contemporary effect. Adding an “earthy” factor, a living moss “graffiti” tree was built to welcome patrons coming through the front door. The quest for finding local artists to help design and decorate the shop came to fruition with the street map mural and chalkboard menu, the gorgeous wood-crafted table and countertops, and the colorfully painted furniture.
“We wanted to make it a place where people feel comfortable to hang out, use our Wi-Fi, and enjoy their yogurt,” Lyl says. For the kids, Lyl and her team fashioned a photo booth and fun props, and an interactive chalkboard.
Lyl’s passion for embracing a healthy lifestyle is also behind her shop’s aim. “If we can move back toward eating real food from its source, I think we have the potential to help eliminate allergies and dairy intolerances.” Customers can choose from eight dairy yogurt flavors, packed with probiotics, Vitamin D, calcium, and protein — free of high fructose corn syrup, hormones, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. There are four additional vegan flavors, including chocolate raspberry and apple cinnamon, that are made with 100 percent organic coconut milk. “We use 100 percent real food,” Lyl says. “When you have pomegranate, you’re eating puréed pomegranate, organic cane sugar, and organic yogurt. There are no stabilizers, or any flavorings or dyes.”
Photo 1: Photo from Lauren Gabrielle Photography.
Photo 2: Editor's pick: We chose Tart and Sweet Cream frozen yogurts, raspberries, chocolate raspberry cups, flaked coconut, yogurt chips, and housemade whipped cream!
From kiwi and mango, to organic sprinkles and vegan carob chips, the yogurt toppings are endless, too. And for those who must have their candy kick, Piccadilly does offer traditional toppings, such as cereals, cookie dough bites, and Reese’s Pieces.
Since opening on July 3, the Mt. Lebanon neighborhood and surrounding communities have embraced the shop’s presence with open arms and mouths. “We’re going to stay open all year,” Lyl says. “We’ll serve hot chocolate in the winter. We want to be a part of Halloween and Christmas, and whatever is going on on the street. Whatever the community is focused on, we want to be a part of. We are hopeful that will carry us through.”
Piccadilly is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
+ Lyl is sourcing some of the shop’s fruit from the Mt. Lebanon Uptown Farmers Market through October!
Piccadilly Artisan Yogurt, 695 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. 412.207.9654.
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