Chilly Billy’s -
“The North Shore’s Favorite Frozen Yogurt Company” is
Expanding Menu Options and Adding a Superior Location!
By Andrea Busche
When it comes to frozen yogurt, what’s your vibe?
Are you an adventurous sort, where you might pair mango-flavored froyo with some chewy boba pearls?
Or, are you more of a traditionalist, and prefer a chocolate or vanilla base with some strawberries on top?
No matter what sort of dessert you crave, Chilly Billy’s has your back. “We offer ten rotating flavor options for frozen yogurt, and 40 different toppings,” said the company’s new co-owner, Andrew Weisz. “This equates to literally millions of combinations.”
Chilly Billy’s offers ten flavors of frozen yogurt and 40 different toppings. Dairy-free and vegan options are also on the menu. Photo submitted.
Now operating under new ownership, Chilly Billy’s is growing – big time. They have added breakfast, lunch, beer, and cocktails to their Mount Royal location. And soon, they will open a 3rd location, across the bridge in Superior.
History
Chilly Billy’s was founded in 2011 by Bill Marker. Its original location was in the vibrant, eclectic Minneapolis neighborhood known as Dinkytown.
It expanded to Duluth in 2014, and was the very first tenant to lock down a space in the upscale shopping center, The Shops at Bluestone. The business expanded in 2017 with another location in the Miller Hill Mall.
Last year, Marker decided to retire. He made the announcement, and notified his landlord. The Duluth community was saddened to be losing their only frozen yogurt shops.
But then, the unexpected happened. A couple of young entrepreneurs, Weisz and his friend/business partner, Adam Daoust, stepped in to purchase the business.
New owners Adam Daoust and Andrew Weisz are thrilled to continue the Chilly Billy’s legacy in Duluth. Photo submitted.
“I saw the news about Chilly Billy’s, and I sent it to my mentor, Dennis Lamkin, a Duluth businessman,” Weisz explained. “We’d often go to Chilly Billy’s together. He suggested I give Bill Marker a call.
“So, I did. I called Bill to congratulate him, and he countered with, ‘Well, do you want to buy it?’ I was definitely intrigued.”
Owners
Weisz is originally from Rochester, and moved to Duluth to attend college. He graduated from UMD with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in entrepreneurship and organizational management. Daoust has a banking background.
After college graduation, Weisz worked for an incubator called MC – Cubed, and later founded (and subsequently sold) a company called Ola Coral.
He also owns Finden Marketing, which he co-founded in 2020. Here, he handles marketing duties for a variety of clients including Titanium Partners, the North Shore Inline Marathon, Aspirus/St. Luke’s, and more.
“Honestly, I was never planning to own a restaurant,” Weisz shared. “But I looked at the numbers and the passion the Duluth community had - and continues to have – for Chilly Billy’s. Adam and I also really liked that the company is independently owned, and not a franchise.”
The two joined forces and purchased Chilly Billy’s in November 2023. As Marker had already ended his lease at Bluestone, Daoust and Weisz immediately had to search for a new location.
As it so happens, married couple Jeff Anderson and Jason Vincent were planning to sell their much-loved Vanilla Bean restaurant - in Duluth’s Mount Royal neighborhood - to focus on their other ventures. That space was a perfect fit, and the timing was impeccable. Chilly Billy’s took over that property (at 1608 Woodland Avenue), and reopened March 28th.
Chilly Billy’s recently relocated from The Shops at Bluestone to its new location, at 1608 Woodland Avenue. This is the former home of the Vanilla Bean. Photo submitted.
The Miller Hill Mall location remains open, too, and Weisz is excited to share that they’ll be opening a 3rd location, at 2421 Tower Avenue, in September 2024. “We weren’t expecting to open another location this quickly, but everything aligned,” Weisz said.
Menu
Chilly Billy’s is best known for its frozen yogurt. The restaurant’s unique, self-serve model makes the process fun for kids and adults alike.
“We offer a one-size-fits-all container, and the yogurt and toppings are all sold by weight. So, you can serve up as much or as little as you’d like,” Weisz explained.
As noted, there are ten yogurt flavors, which rotate monthly. Some of the flavor options include cake batter, vanilla, mango, lemonade, cotton candy, chocolate, pina colada, Jolly Rancher blue raspberry, and more.
Dairy-free and vegan options are also available. “We have choices for people with any type of food restrictions,” Weisz said.
Toppings are plentiful, too. Cheesecake bites, berries, brownie bits, nuts, gummies, and boba pearls are just a few of the 40 options. Toppings are also changed out on a rotation. Fun new choices are brought in regularly, and for holidays and other special events.
New Menu – Now Including Breakfast and Lunch!
The Mount Royal location also recently expanded its menu offerings to include breakfast, lunch, beer, cocktails, and other beverages. Daoust’s wife, Amayah Littlewolf-Daoust, has ten years’ experience in the restaurant business, and was the perfect fit to work as their head chef. Interestingly, she previously worked for Vanilla Bean and The Boat Club, so she already has a great connection with Anderson and Vincent.
Littlewolf-Daoust has created some incredibly inventive menu items, including matcha pancakes and acai bowls, along with breakfast classics such as eggs and bacon.
One of Chilly Billy’s inventive new breakfast options is the Bulldog Scramble - a hearty breakfast option with ham, bacon, Yukon potatoes, and more. The hot sauce available at the restaurant is the locally-made Bandito sauce made by Chachos Taqueria. Photo submitted.
Local craft beers and “brunchy” cocktails, such as Mojitos and Bloody Marys, are now available, too. Coffee roasted by Duluth business Clyde Iron is on the menu, and so is another local favorite, Mike and Jen’s Cocoa.
A Chilly Billy’s Bloody Mary contains all the “fixins.’”
Their Bloody Mary bar offers plenty of classic toppings, plus inventive options like mini donuts. Bloody Marys are available at the Mount Royal location from 8am - 3pm, every day of the week. Their Bloody Mary bar is available on select weekends (Follow Chilly Billy’s on social media to stay up-to-date) Photos submitted.
Catering and Special Events
Another fun new initiative is Chilly Billy’s catering. “We have a portable frozen yogurt machine, and we’ll bring it to you, including all the toppings,” Weisz said. This is a great option for weddings, grad parties, and other special events.
The Mount Royal location is offering on-site special events as another creative new option for the business. Weekly trivia nights, Barre classes, and Mario Kart nights will be on the agenda going forward. “We’ll plan to expand these events going into fall, winter, and spring - when Duluth isn’t such an outdoor hub,” Weisz noted.
Personal
At just 27 years old, Weisz’ success is most impressive. He currently lives in Duluth near UMD, where he makes a home with his girlfriend, Annika Juenemann, who works as a speech pathologist.
In his spare time, Weisz loves inline skating, and participates in marathons across the country. He also enjoys hiking, traveling, and attending Glensheen’s Concerts on the Pier.
In addition to his day-to-day professional life, he maintains a variety of other affiliations, too. He serves as Chair for the Glensheen Advisory Council, and Chair of the Fuse Leadership Committee. He is on the Board for the St. Luke’s Foundation, and is the President of PBS’ Sounding Board. And, he is on the Advisory Council for the Downtown Duluth YMCA.
Local businessman - and Chilly Billy’s co-owner - Andrew Weisz enjoys staying busy with plenty of professional affiliations. Photo submitted.
Rewarding
Weisz finds deep fulfillment in his work as a Duluth businessman. “It’s so rewarding to feel like we are making a change in the community,” he said. “It’s a cool feeling that people choose Chilly Billy’s for things like date night. We enjoy hearing their stories.
“The community of Duluth is really where it’s at,” he added. “There are lots of friendly faces, and the people here seem happy. We have such a passion for our location, and all the outdoor activities available here. Duluth is such a cool city, and we are also really excited to expand into Superior.”
Hours
Chilly Billy’s Miller Hill Mall (Frozen yogurt only) – 11 am – 8 pm, 7 days a week, but they close at 6 pm on Sundays.
Chilly Billy’s Mount Royal (Frozen yogurt, breakfast, lunch, drinks) – 7 am – 3 pm for breakfast and lunch. 8 am – 3 pm for alcoholic drinks. And 3 pm – 9:30 pm for frozen yogurt.
Chilly Billy’s Superior (Frozen yogurt only) – opening September 2024. Hours are expected to be 12 pm – 9:30 pm.
All hours are subject to change; please visit the Chilly Billy’s website and Facebook page to learn more.
Chilly Billy's | Duluth Breakfast & Frozen Yogurt (chillybillys.com)
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Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.
