Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt

Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt is a yogurt company which originated at Pike Place Market, in the U.S. state of Washington.[1][2]

Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt
ProductsYogurt
Websiteellenos.com

Description

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The company makes Greek yogurt in a variety of flavors such as blueberry, lemon curd, marionberry,[3] pumpkin pie (seasonally),[4][5] and raspberry. Yogurts have all-natural toppings and fruit.[6] In addition to the small counter in the Corner Market building at Pike Place Market, the yogurt has been available at various farmers' markets, the Uwajimaya stores in Bellevue and the Chinatown-International District,[7][8] and the Beecher's Handmade Cheese outpost at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.[9][10]

History

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Co-owners Bob Klein and Con Apostolopoulos[11][12] founded the business at Pike Place Market in July 2013, with yogurt made at a retail site in the Georgetown neighborhood. However, Ellenos was quickly closed temporarily by the Historic Commission for selling products in a market area reserves for produce.[13] Service resumed in August.[14] In 2016, Whole Foods Market provided a loan for Ellenos to purchase machinery to increase production.[15]

In 2018, an $18 million investment from Monogram Capital Partners allowed Ellenos to increase capacity at a 60,000-square-foot facility in Federal Way.[11]

The company had approximately 150 employees as of February 2020.[3] In 2020, Daniel Lubetzky announced plans to invest $18 million into the brand, with funding intended to expand staff and the production facility in Federal Way in order to reach a larger customer base.[3][16]

Reception

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Fodor's says, "Ellenos is serving up the best (and best-looking) yogurt in the city—and possibly the country."[10] Sonja Groset included the business in Eater Seattle's 2015 "Guide to the Best Cheap Eats at Pike Place Market".[17] In 2016, Rachel Belle of The Stranger wrote, "Ellenos is like the Elvis of yogurt. After dipping your spoon into their "traditional family recipe" of ethereally smooth, thick, luscious Greek yogurt, you will want to passionately scream and cry and faint and throw your panties at it."[5] Naomi Tomky included the business in Thrillist's 2020 list of "The 27 Most Essential Seattle Food Experiences".[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Greek yogurt you'll swear came from the gods". The Seattle Times. 2014-08-29. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  2. ^ Swick, Shaun (2016-04-22). "Food of the Gods". City Arts Magazine. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  3. ^ a b c Guarente, Gabe (2020-02-26). "Seattle's Most Famous Greek Yogurt Brand Just Got Some Serious Cash". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  4. ^ "Seattle's Best Pumpkin Spice Food and Drink 2021". Seattle Metropolitan. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  5. ^ a b Belle, Rachel. "Oh, Come On, Stop Complaining About Pumpkin-Flavored Everything—Pumpkins Are Delicious". The Stranger. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  6. ^ "Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt". Thrillist. 5 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  7. ^ "Asian food paradise at Uwajimaya's food court". Northwest Asian Weekly. 2016-12-23. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  8. ^ Callaghan, Adam H. (2016-05-18). "Fuji Bakery Expands to Uwajimaya Bellevue". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  9. ^ "What to Eat at Pike Place Market: Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt". Seattle Magazine. 2022-07-08. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  10. ^ a b "Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt Review - Seattle Washington - Restaurant | Fodor's Travel". Fodor's. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  11. ^ a b Garnick, Coral (April 16, 2018). "Ellenos yogurt raises $18 million to expand distribution and launch new products". Puget Sound Business Journal. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  12. ^ Garnick, Coral (April 17, 2018). "Behind the deal: How Ellenos yogurt set itself up for big growth". Puget Sound Business Journal. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  13. ^ Perry, Julien (2013-07-31). "Why Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt Was Forced to Close in Pike Place Market and When It Might Reopen". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  14. ^ Perry, Julien (2013-08-15). "Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt to Re-Open Tomorrow". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  15. ^ Garnick, Coral (May 10, 2016). "Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt gets production boost from Whole Foods". Puget Sound Business Journal. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  16. ^ Campbell, Megan (February 25, 2020). "Pike Place yogurt stand secures $18M investment from Kind founder". Puget Sound Business Journal. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  17. ^ Groset, Sonja (2015-07-13). "A Guide to the Best Cheap Eats at Pike Place Market". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  18. ^ "The 27 Most Essential Seattle Food Experiences". Thrillist. 13 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
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