Self-serve frozen yogurt and ice cream shop 16 Handles celebrated its grand opening Saturday in Meridian Marketplace at the northeast corner of Pine Ridge and Livingston roads in Collier County. Founded in New York City in 2008, this is 16 Handles’ 30th franchise location and second in Florida.  

Alex Nicholas lived down the street from the original 16 Handles and frequented the store in Manhattan’s East Village. Noting the brand’s popularity and enjoying the energy of its atmosphere, he was open to opening a location of his own. 

Nicholas, who manages the local D1 Training facility in Meridian Marketplace, jumped at the opportunity to open 16 Handles when space became available last summer.  

“When this space became available, it was one of the first options I thought of,” Nicholas said. “It’s very fortunate timing because 16 Handles was going through a bit of a rebrand and they had a new CEO, and I got very excited about the opportunity.”  

The dessert shop has 16 different flavors for customers to pour themselves from the handles, allowing for any combination of frozen yogurt flavors they desire. Flavors include coffee, birthday cake or summer-featured orange creamsicle. There is also an unlimited toppings bar for customers to add cheesecake bites, gummy bears and more to their cup of frozen yogurt.   

“What I love is that there’s nothing like coming into a space that’s clean, high end, all the toppings are top of the line,” Nicholas said. “You don’t have to worry about not finding the topping you want. There’s tons of different types of concoctions you can make from the flavors. All the different toppings you use, it just makes for like a full dessert experience.”  

16 Handles offers vegan options in partnership with Oatly, offering oat milk-based vanilla and cupcake-flavored frozen yogurt. Smoothies and milkshakes accompany the menu, with acai bowls planned for the future.  

Nicholas, who has been operating D1 Training for just over a year, said that this concept will be an asset to the area.  

“I’ve gotten to know the community, the clientele, what people are looking for,” Nicholas said. “And with this plaza and the one up the street, there’s no really designated ice cream or froyo place to go to. So, you know, there’s like 40 different restaurants and not one designated dessert spot.” 

16 Handles, 3369 Pine Ridge Road, is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.