After a hot day by the pool or a sandy afternoon on the beach, Old Orcutt residents have a new place to cool off before heading home.
Roy’s Orcutt Yogurt Shop opened on March 14 after three years of planning and construction. It sells classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry along with rotating dairy-free options that make a tasty base to pile high with toppings.
Pull that handle
Roy’s Orcutt Yogurt Shop is located at 120 E. Clark Ave. It’s open Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Get a glimpse of Roy, the Drewniaks’ boxer, on Instagram @orcuttroys and Facebook @Roy’s Orcutt Yogurt Shop.
Owner Brian Drewniak said he’s experienced an “overwhelmingly positive” response so far from customers, even selling out of yogurt on the opening weekend.
“I think they love the fact that we’re local,” he told the Sun on a sunny April afternoon.
When he says “we,” it’s a nod to his wife, Helena, and two kids, who also contributed to making their dream a reality. Even the Drewniaks’ dog, Roy, couldn’t be left out.
The boxer is often a greeter at the shop on cool days, posing for pictures with kids and putting a smile on many faces. Even if the weather is too hot for Roy, his face still lights up the room in the form of a neon sign.
Roy is the shop’s mascot and, some might argue, the main attraction. Large canvases with his pictures hang on the walls, along with photos of some of his “friends.” Customers can bring in framed prints of their own pets to hang next to Roy’s portrait.
“Roy is full of life,” Helena said in early October when the Drewniaks were in the thick of construction. “We’re hoping his spirit will carry through the business of just a family community.”
With a background in construction and general contracting, Brian took the lead on building up the interior of the 100-year-old building. He had help from his good friend Ken Groppetti and the Drewniak kids, Jacob and Natalie. Roy kept Brian company during eight-hour workdays at the shop, and Helena lent her eye to the design choices.
“My 10-year-old son swings a sledgehammer, runs a jackhammer, has been super helpful on this project,” Brian said. “He has crawled through this attic from the back of the store to the front of the store at least five times pulling all of our electrical wire.”
“It’s very much been a family affair,” Helena added.
Brian said both kids stood on ladders helping scrape the windows clean on the very first day of the lease last summer. After opening, he said that if Jacob and Natalie aren’t at the shop, they’re probably on their way with friends.
Aside from money, time was the family’s biggest investment before opening Roy’s. Brian grew up in a family business and wants to set an example for his kids of what a strong work ethic looks like.
“I’m a legacy kind of guy,” Brian said. “I just want to show them that hard work and perseverance pays off.”
The family-friendly atmosphere is palpable before customers even step inside. Old Orcutt’s breeze flows through the wide-open front door, and Brian or one of his part-time employees welcome customers with a smile.
Staff mix yogurt, which arrives in a powder form (a case weighs 100 pounds) and is combined with liquid. As the customer pulls the handle on the yogurt dispenser, the mixture travels through the cylinder, dropping in temperature and flowing out as frozen yogurt.
Throughout the past few years, whenever Brian traveled the country, he’d try frozen yogurt as part of his research. If he liked it, he asked the shop which vendor it used. He said every one pointed to the one he does business with now.
Employees also keep the toppings bar stocked with chocolate chips, sprinkles, gummy worms and bears, M&Ms, and bits of candy bars. All fresh fruit is hand-cut, and the brownie pieces are homemade, Brian said.
It’s all for the sake of keeping the community excited about Roy’s.
“I know what it takes to run a family-owned business. You take care of your customers, and everything else will take care of itself. Your customers are the key,” Brian explained.
The dog-friendly establishment has been a hit for Old Orcutt neighbors since it opened. Brian is excited to keep building the business, taking suggestions from customers, and showing up for the community.
“I really think people love it,” Brian said shortly after opening. “It shows. We’re busy every day.”
Staff Writer Madison White had the pleasure of meeting Roy. Send your happiest pet stories to mwhite@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in April 16 – April 23, 2026.