A part of my soul shattered the day that Kiwi closed its doors. The downtown frozen yogurt staple had been providing Penn Staters with a (kinda) healthy dessert option for eight years, only to announce in 2019 via a letter on their door that they were no more.

In its place is, of course, an Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and Carvel trifecta, which recently opened this past February. However, while I do enjoy a good hot pretzel/cinnamon roll/ice cream whatever every now and then, this new establishment feels like a fraud trying to fill the shoes of greatness.

Simply put, we need a new froyo place. With Kiwi gone, the only place in all of State College to get a cup of self-serve frozen yogurt is sweetFrog, which is absolutely not within walking distance of campus or downtown. Sure, there’s always Yogurt Express, but I’ve been underwhelmed by their offerings and feel like it’s better known for its acai bowls than the sweet deliciousness of froyo covered in all the toppings you could ever desire. If I can’t control my portion, what is the point of even having it?

This is a travesty. As Kiwi was before it was cruelly ripped from our hands, a new froyo place has the potential to be a multi-tool player in the game that is downtown eating. It’s just casual enough to be a good meeting place for friends or a Big-Little date, but also nice enough to be the location of a first date too. It’s a cheap enough dessert that it won’t break the bank, and if you’re trying to eat healthier, it is better for you than regular ice cream. Also, with all the customizable options, it’s perfect for the picky eater in your life.

Dessert options in State College are lacking in general, and a new froyo location provides the perfect opportunity to throw in a little diversity. Obviously, there are places like Coldstone, Yogurt Express, Momotaro, and (depending on the weather) Rita’s available to satisfy your cold dessert craving, but none of those places hit the same as a cup of frozen yogurt with a million different toppings that shouldn’t go together but somehow do.

So, this is a plea to the borough, or whoever it is that makes these sorts of decisions: please, please remember me when you’re considering your next big downtown real estate move. State College doesn’t need another high rise, a Wawa, or even a Taco Bell replacement — may she rest in peace.

What State College needs is a change. A sweet, cold, I-Can-Pretend-It’s-Healthy-Because-It-Has-Less-Calories-Than-The-Creamery-Or-Coldstone change. Kiwi may be gone, but she need not be forgotten. Please, Borough And Potential Business Owners, make the right choice.

It’s what we deserve.