This new shop offering a traditional Italian frozen treat set to open soon in Columbus

A new franchise offering frozen treats will open in late September or early October inside the Asian Supermarket on Columbus’ Milgen Road.

Local franchisee Aresha LeFlore held a soft opening for the Italian gelato shop, Popbar, Thursday evening. LeFlore’s friends, family and other supporters had a chance to try the frozen treats for themselves, which are not popsicles despite their look.

Popbar offers traditional Italian gelateria. Customers can order gelato on a stick with a menu featuring more than 60 flavors and a variety of customization options. Along with gelato, there are also options for sorbet, which is 80% fruit-based, yogurt, Leflore said. Milkshakes are also available.

The frozen treats are already a hit among her three kids, she said, who are already helping their mom in the restaurant.

“My 13-year-old keeps eating the popbars,” LeFlore said. “She will eat like four or five a day.”

Flavors will rotate, LeFlore said. Some will always be available, like chocolate, but others might seasonal.

“I feel like people want something different,” LeFlore said. “They want something that’s healthy. These are delicious, and it’s lower fat, lower calories and more flavor.”

Customers at the Asian Supermarket can always order a popbar from the storefront, LeFlore said. The shop also offers catering and events.

An eye-catching display

Popbar was founded in 2010 in New York City’s West Village before becoming a franchise in 2013.

LeFlore, a Columbus native with a background in computer programming, discovered the franchise while on a trip to Universal Studios in Florida during the pandemic.

She and a friend were visiting an outlet mall. LeFlore was walking around between stores when she saw a kiosk in the middle of the mall.

“It wasn’t a storefront,” she said. “It was a kiosk, sitting by itself. But the display of the (Popbars) was so eye-catching.”

LeFlore had already been thinking about buying a franchise. She’d first hoped to open an Edible Arrangements location, but found out she was two weeks too late after inquiring with the company.

So, when she discovered Popbar, LeFlore recognized her window of opportunity.

But getting the shop open came with challenges.

Initially, she’d asked her retired father, Lawrence, to join in on the business with her as her partner. Lawrence intended to work at Popbar with her, LeFlore said, but before they could get it up off the ground he became 100% disabled.

Another question was choosing where in Columbus to build the Popbar. LeFlore searched for a while, until one day she was doing some grocery shopping in the Asian Supermarket.

LeFlore is half Korean, she said, and her kids often expect Asian treats, foods and snacks. That brings her into the supermarket regularly, but she’d overlooked the food court area until the day she didn’t.

“I stumbled upon it,” LeFlore said. “I’m glad I came this way because I usually go the other way and I didn’t even realize this was over here.”

Next door to Bella’s CAKEtering, there was an available space for another shop. The Asian Supermarket is a unique experience in Columbus, LeFlore said, and the space was a good opportunity.

She looks forward to Popbar drawing more Columbus residents into the supermarket, and has ideas about how her business can engage with the community.

LeFlore expects Popbar to be a vendor at Market Days, host games and events and possibly showcase local art on a wall in the shop.

“I realized that if God says something to you or shows something to you, you have to listen,” LeFlore said. “That’s why I didn’t hesitate (to open Popbar). I think it’s going to be a good move for my city and for my family.”