Extraordinary People: Young owners find sweet success at Fuzzy Peach

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The experience inside a Fuzzy Peach store is one you won’t easily forget. From the colorful décor to the modern lounge-like furniture, it isn’t your average dessert shop.

Owners Rocco Quaranto and Wells Struble say besides making cold treats with toppings for days, they wanted to create a fun environment for customers.

“We provide an atmosphere where you feel comfortable, you feel at home. It’s a place where you can hang out with your friends,” Struble said.

“We have world-class customer service. We offer the best products all in inside of a fun, welcoming atmosphere,” Quaranto said.

Struble, Quaranto and their third partner, Jason Nista, were recent UNCW grads when they opened their flagship store on Racine Drive in July 2010.

The young entrepreneurs knew they needed a niche in the froyo market to swirl to the top so they adopted the completely self-serve concept, where even the tiniest of customers can pull the lever and build their own treats.

“Here at the Fuzzy Peach, when you go through the line, you make your own product so you get to make it specifically how you want to have it,” Struble said.

Over the last two years, the trio have opened a second store in Wilmington and helped develop four franchises throughout the Cape Fear.

“We used to sell a cup of yogurt,” Struble said. “Now we sell a franchise, a model.”

“We have 26 franchise locations signed,” Quaranto said. “We have 11 opened.”

Both attribute much of their success to setting clear goals. They still have one tall order to fill.

“We want Fuzzy Peach to be synonymous with dessert in the country,” Quaranto said.

To nominate an extraordinary person, you can send Cacky an email at ccatlett@wwaytv3.com.