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Kevin and Jennifer Sabin, and children Oliver, Sadie and Frankie, opened a second Yogurt Shoppe in Brentwood in 2016.
Photo: Courtesy Kevin Sabin

Once Again Sponsors Fourth of July Bike Contest

Kevin and Jennifer Sabin opened The Yogurt Shoppe at 873 Swarthmore Ave. in February 2011.

Just five months later, they stepped up to sponsor Kids on Bikes for the Palisades Fourth of July parade.

Today, the store is still one of the most successful in town, the Sabins operate a second store in Brentwood (since April 2016) and they still sponsor Kids on Bikes.

“We really enjoy sponsoring the bike-decorating contest and it is wonderful to see how excited the community and local youth get about this entry in the parade,” Sabin said. “We judge the bike decorations the day before and it’s wonderful to watch the participants bring their bikes by with such pride.

“What surprises me the most about the kids and their bikes is that they are all so amazing, making it extremely difficult to select only the top three winners,” Sabin said, noting that many of the decorations come with a story behind them.

The first year their business was open, the Sabins also started a fundraising tradition, “Happy Hour,” giving 15 percent of net sales back during happy hours to community groups and nonprofit organizations connected to the Palisades, such as Palisades High School’s music program, the Village Green and Friends of Marquez.

They have continued the program at both their stores.  “We have raised close to $80,000,” Sabin said. “Typically, we run the happy-hour fundraiser at both shoppes for the same beneficiary. This helps to maximize the amount raised.”

In addition to Happy Hour benefits, the Sabins also donate to community, school and silent auctions.

At the Woman’s Club annual birthday luncheon for the town’s 90-year-old residents, The Yogurt Shoppe provided free yogurt to the more than 125 attendees. This was the ninth year the Sabins have participated.

The husband and wife team also hosted a fundraiser for Autism Speaks in 2015 at the Palisades Recreation Center. Jennifer is the executive director and founder of Working With Autism in Encino. Founded in 1997, WWA has been one of the leading providers for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. She initially began working with children on the autism spectrum under Dr. Ivar Lavaas at UCLA, while earning her psychology degree. (Visit: workingwithautism.com).

The Sabins have been married 20 years and have three children: Frankie and Oliver, who attend Palisades High, and Sadie, who attends Paul Revere.

Kevin is an executive vice president with KW Commercial. “My career for the past 20+ years has been in commercial real estate, specializing in the sale of apartments and land for multifamily development throughout Los Angeles’ prestigious Westside (visit:apartmentmarket.com),” he said.

Sabin was asked how his kids feel about the yogurt business.

“The Shoppes have definitely been a large part of their lives,” Sabin said. “They often contribute to the flavor suggestions, promos we run and occasionally even work at the store. I think they take pride in the shoppe and the fact that we have given back so much to help support local schools and charities.”
He said that when he opened the business, he was surprised by how quickly they were welcomed into the community. “I speak for my family when I say how connected we feel to the Palisades and it makes us very happy to have the opportunity to give back to such a wonderful community we call home,” Sabin said.

Flavors have evolved over the years, Sabin said, with vegan options becoming more popular, and the shoppe has introduced a greater variety of flavor options.

“Definitely try the activated charcoal shoppe chocolate (vegan),” he said. “Jennifer’s peanut butter is one of our most popular.

“The recipe was perfected over time, with lots of trial and error, until we got it just right–and it’s vegan.”

Looking back over the nine years, Sabin was asked if there was one thing he could change, what it would be.

“That’s a tough one,” he said. “I’m happy with how everything is gone at the Shoppe, but if I had change one thing, it would be that people stop abusing the sample cups.”

Visit: theyogurtshoppe.com or call (310) 459-0088.

The Yogurt Shoppe on Swarthmore, with owner Kevin Sabin, allows customers to choose from a variety of toppings and flavors.

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