Rob Archer came rushing in through the newspaper-covered doors of Arch's Frozen Yogurt. The restaurant - known throughout the University as the place for study-break indulgence - has gotten a facelift.
"We've done it all ourselves," Rob, the store's owner, said of the work he and his wife Sandy have done.
The Arch's on the Corner has undergone renovation for four months and will reopen tomorrow with a whole new taste.
"You should just see how excited I get," Rob said, adding ingredients into his new espresso machine to make the first-ever Arch's vanilla latte. "I don't mean to toot my own horn, but we are good."
For more than 11 years now, Arch's has been a major University attraction at both its Corner and Ivy Road locations. Its renowned Archers blend frozen yogurt flavors with a multitude of sweet toppings, including crumbled candies and its famous gooey brownies.
But now, after a full-scale renovation of both its Corner building and menu, patrons can experience Archers topped with Gorgonzola beans, sun-dried tomatoes and herb tofu - Archer salads, that is. The restaurant, which used to serve explicitly frozen yogurt concoctions, is making a shift now to incorporate lunches.
The words "Let-us Toss it!" dance with pictures of tomatoes, asparagus and lettuce on the center wall. On the far side of the newly set stoned countertop, there are containers of spices that one wouldn't typically dash on top of a seven-ounce Grasshopper (an Archer with York Peppermint Patties blended in).
Next to the spices are rows of containers that will hold exotic toppings for the create-your-own Archer salad. On the other side there is an espresso machine and in the center, a glass piece to reveal plates full of freshly baked goods. There is even a section dedicated to making sandwiches.
Rob's handpicked, high-quality ingredients reflect his own healthy lifestyle.
"We've got to be true to who we are," Rob said. "I mean, I could never picture myself making french fries."
The restaurant's once alternative atmosphere now glistens with freshly painted walls and cheerful coffee-shop images.
"Sandy is really artistic and did all the wall painting and the fun designs around the walls," Rob said. "We also had friends help us with some of the carpentry."
While the atmosphere may have changed, the most fundamental difference to the new Corner Arch's is the menu, which the Archer couple modeled after one from the restaurant they started in Waynesboro.
"There was nothing in Waynesboro," Rob said. "So we saw the opportunity to take all the elements that we thought were missing - frozen yogurt, gourmet coffee and gourmet sandwiches - and combine them all together."
The success of the Waynesboro restaurant gave the Archers something to consider when it was time to renew their lease for the Arch's on the Corner.
"We knew we could either do the same thing we had been doing and be okay, or we could take what we had learned and really go," Rob said. "If you are given an opportunity to something, you should really make the best out of the situation that you can."
Besides the grueling work it takes to run a restaurant business, Rob and Sandy have a lot of behind the scenes work at home too. The couple said their number-one priority is raising their three children (whose names you can find on the new menu). Having a three-year-old, a one-year-old and a one-month-old adds a new dimension to their business.
"That's the nerve-wracking part," Sandy said. "We have to balance our family and our business. More than anything, I want to see my children grow up. Don't be surprised if you see the baby here!"
Rob and Sandy met on the track team at the University and have been married for eight years. Sandy graduated with an undergraduate degree in economics, and Rob graduated with a major in mechanical engineering. They also both attended Darden Business School.
"I was one of those crazy college students," Rob admitted. "I was going to do something, I just didn't know what it was."
Rob worked in the corporate world for seven years for IBM in Philadelphia before he decided to open up a business in Charlottesville. He got the idea of starting a frozen yogurt shop from a friend and felt it would be a good way to be able to interact with the community.
To minimize the financial risk of opening a restaurant, Rob kept his job in Philadelphia for a year and commuted on the weekends, while Sandy got the first Arch's on Ivy Road up and running.
"It was always our dream to open our own business, so it was really easy to leave my job in corporate America," Sandy said. "The day we opened was Graduation Sunday, May 1991. We had about 50 customers, and it was raining. It's kind of sad, I remember it better than my wedding day."
At 39 and 36, Rob and Sandy hardly look like they have graduated from college, let alone have three children. They said they both enjoy working out when they can find time between their kids and the business. They have taught aerobics classes together and play basketball for the City League team.
Sandy also enjoys cooking for friends.
"I love to try out new recipes, and I always have him to clean up after me," Sandy said, pointing to Rob.
The Arch's staff reflects Rob and Sandy's energy and positive outlook on life. Twenty of their employees are University students. It is not uncommon for one of the employees to yell out, "Hey! You're in my government class!" when someone is placing an order and then stretch their hand out above the toppings to offer a friendly hello.
Fourth-year College student Justin Geiger has worked at Arch's for six months and apart from breaking about $500 worth of equipment, he said he has really liked his experience.
"I really enjoy meeting and working with my fellow students," Geiger said. "There are a lot of fun customers and it is always fun throwing the toppings at my friends who come in."
An Arch's regular, second-year College student Kate Parker, said she feels Arch's completes the University experience.
"Being that we based the location of our apartment on its proximity to Arch's, we are very ready for it to open," Parker said of the Corner location. "Let's just say it's about time. We've walked past it enough."
Rob said Arch's will reopen its doors at 7 a.m. tomorrow for the coffee crowd. The wait is over.
"It's been a really hard task, but I'm not complaining," Rob said of the renovations. "You've just got to do what you've got to do"
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