Rainbow Sprinkles: South Lake Tahoe donut and frozen yogurt shop opens Saturday

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - Its been eight months of scrubbing, painting and planning for Jody Filgo and Sallie Ross-Filgo as they took an old, run down donut shop at the "Y" in South Lake Tahoe and turned it into Rainbow Sprinkles. And now they are ready to serve some happiness.

"I can't wait until I can turn on the lights," said Sallie. The shop will be opening in South Lake Tahoe this Saturday, January 21 at 6:00 a.m.

Getting to the time they could turn on the "open" sign and let the public in has been a much longer, and much harder, journey that the couple planned on. They took over an old storefront that was very dirty, full of mold and in need of new electrical and plumbing features. The only thing left in the store was one range hood, so they bought all new equipment, sinks, water heaters, ovens and fryers, and were able to resurrect the hood. They ordered all new flooring as well.

Sallie has been the Administrative Assistant to the City's Fire Chief for 12 years, and she was able to hire several of her co-workers to help get the shop open.

Starting Saturday there will be eight frozen yogurts, about 40 toppings and donuts from your normal raised and glazed to unique, monster cereal-covered donuts much like what can be found at Voodoo Donuts in Oregon. They are also serving Alpen Sierra Coffee.

The shop has a "senior corner" when senior citizens always have a reserved seat. Jody was the head cook at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center for over 21 years and has a large fan base who've been waiting for this opening. Their corner is complete with decks of cards for their games too. Everyone is invited to sit there, but if a senior shows up they are asked to give up their seat.

Sallie and Jody have hired ten people, two bakers and eight counter staff, many of whom attend nearby South Tahoe and Mt. Tallac High Schools. Training has been going on this week, getting staff ready to roll.

This Saturday's opening will be a "soft" grand opening, with a much larger even planned for Spring. There are a few things not ready yet, like donut holes, shaped donuts and gluten free donuts, but they are both coming soon!

Once the donut holes are ready to go there will be something the kids will be sure to love, Donut Nachos! One will buy a serving of donut holes and take a visit to the yogurt topping counter and load whatever they like on top!

Sallie's nephew, Danny Hoeppner, Jr., recently relocated to South Lake Tahoe and "has been a huge help," according to Aunt Sallie. The South Tahoe Middle School 8th grader has used his "kid expertise" in picking out the toppings they'll carry for yogurt.

Rainbow Sprinkles will be open 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. They are located between Raleys and Wells Fargo at the Y. They can be found on Facebook and at their website, www.tahoerainbowsprinkles.com.