When three women of the Emporia community received feedback on possible store ideas, they knew there was one franchise that would be perfect for the city.

Channon Farrel, Crista Grimwood and Frannie Walburn are the newest franchisees of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt in downtown Emporia. Located at 1114 Commercial St. in Suite C of the Kellogg Plaza and Lofts, Orange Leaf will add a new look and a spark to the area, they said.

“The idea for Orange Leaf originated probably around March, and I just started looking on the Internet (for) what it took to become a franchisee,” Grimwood said.

But,Grimwood also said that her business partners were highly instrumental in the long process needed to become part owners.

“June rolled around and I thought, you know, this is something that I would really like to pursue, but I don’t want to do on my own,” Grimwood said.

Once the idea came into place, it was all about location. Emporia Main Street Director, Casey Woods, said he believes that Orange Leaf is in a terrific position that will attract a diverse group of customers.

“This whole building is a new development, so you’ve got commercial locations on the lower story that weren’t here before,” Woods said.

Project developer Cory Haag, as well as Grimwood and Woods, said that they are expecting a lot of foot traffic with the location being within walking distance from Emporia State University.

“The Kellogg Plaza and Lofts is just so close to ESU,” Haag said. “It really is a great place for students and professors to live, but what’s nice is to bring these businesses underneath the lofts. This Orange Leaf really is an exciting concept and idea.”

Haag said the store will have openings for student jobs.

Orange Leaf is a company that has been growing exponentially within the past few years and now has 184 locations across the United States and Australia. There will also be 92 additional store locations opening soon.

The expected opening date of Emporia’s new business is set for Oct. 1.