Local News
Related Photos
-
A scoop of culture at the Fernandez Paleteria (© Staff photo by Audrey Broyles)
Tools
Ice cream is a hit at local treat shop
Fernandez Paleteria homemade ice cream shop has found itself a home away from home in Gainesville, and the timing could not be better with summer heat rapidly approaching.
Jesse Fernandez, the owner and founder of the shop, brought his recipes for ice cream all the way to Texas from his home in Mexico.
Fernandez was born in the small town of Tocumbo Michoacan, Mexico where, as Fernandez described it, ice cream making is a customary trade.
It was during his childhood that Fernandez acquired ice cream making skills from working in the ice cream stores around his town. His recipes were passed down from generation to generation, starting with his grandfather Miguel and Fernandez's own father, Luis.
Fernandez decided to settle in Gainesville in 1993 to be closer to his family, and in February of 2009 he opened the Fernandez Palteria. Here at his ice cream shop, the tradition of family closeness is upheld, as all employees are family members of Jesse Fernandez.
Before he settled in Gainesville to be with his family, Fernandez worked in an ice cream shop called Lamichoacan in Zacatecas, Mexico. The store sold Mexican treats, such as milk based paletas, or popsicles.
Here in Gainesville, the Fernandez Paleteria offers an assortment of flavored homemade ice cream, paletas, and treats native to Mexico such as, elote (corn), bionico (cream covered fruit), horchata (rice milk), and other snacks derived from Fernandez's native country.
Fernandez has enjoyed living in Gainesville and sharing his craft of ice cream making with the community.
Some customers say they were hooked on the Fernandez family’s frozen treats from the start.
“I have been coming here since it first opened, and they have a wide selection of ice cream,” said customer Glenn Comer said.
Translator and employee, Paula Fernandez, interpreted for Jesse Fernandez when he said, “I like seeing the expressions on the people’s faces when they try the new flavors that I offer.”
Fernandez also said the people of Gainesville are friendly, and that he is pleased to see increasing numbers of customers.
Always a favorite with Gainesville’s Hispanic population, non-Hispanics are also frequently the store in growing numbers.
He said that eighty percent more non-Hispanics frequent his shop now than when he first opened in February, and that he is excited to share his flavors with people who may not be familiar with his specialties.
“We appreciate all of the business that the town gives us, and we thank you” said Fernandez.
With summer just beginning to heat up, Ferandez hopes his ice cream shop gives customers a glimpse of another culture and a new twist on an American favorite.
- Local News
-
-
Rett Syndrome - One cause of mental retardation
March is Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Month
This is the third in a series
-
GHS band 'superior' for third-straight year
For the third year in a row, the Gainesville High School Band has earned, or taken the Sweepstakes.
-
Fire destroys home near Valley View
A Cooke County couple reportedly lost almost everything they own in a house fire on County Road 207 outside Valley View Sunday afternoon.
-
GISD Board considers committing old junior high property to Boys & Girls Club
Gainesville Independent School District board of trustees heard from Ray Nichols regarding the Boys & Girls Club of Cooke County during their Friday meeting.
-
Sheriff honors 4-year-old that uses 9-1-1 to help grandfather
Riley Burt and some of his family were guests of Cooke County Sheriff Mike Compton and his staff Thursday after the 4-year-old made a 9-1-1 call to get help for his grandfather, Paul Bezner, who was unconscious and lying on the floor of his home near Callisburg.
-
Crop producers keep their eyes on the sky
With rain continuing to come down, and moisture already seeming to soak the ground here in Cooke County, people are wondering how local crops are being affected.
-
Butterfield hosts award-winning playwrights
Guests of the Butterfield Stage Theater were in good company Thursday evening when the organization hosted playwrights Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten.
-
AG warns parents about video chat web site Chatroulette.com
An increasingly popular Web site poses a threat to Texas children by giving users – including dangerous sex offenders – an opportunity to conduct live video chats with randomly selected participants.
-
NCTC celebrates Healthy Self Days
Some North Central Texas College students were playing with Playdough and coloring with markers outside the student services center Wednesday.
-
Commissioner Smith summarizes changes to TCOG bylaws
Changes to the bylaws for the Texoma Council of Governments were summarized by Cooke County Pct. 3 Commissioner Pct. 3 Al Smith during Monday’s Commissioners’ Court meeting.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Rett Syndrome - One cause of mental retardation
