Family, Faith and Flavor: Gigi ' s Homemade Ice Cream serves up delicious variety
By Shane Morgan
When Favi Fernandez moved more than two decades ago to the United States from Mexico, she had no idea she would eventually end up as the owner of a successful business in Somerset, Ky.
At the time, she just wanted to be able to find steady work that paid decently, and create a better life for herself and her kids, Edgar, Emmanuel, Lizbeth and Alex.
And as faith, fate, hard work, and the American Dream would have it, she now is proprietor of Gigi ' s Handmade Ice Cream, a successful sweetery that, six years in, has not only survived some tough times, but now is flourishing.
At Gigi ' s, located in Tradewind Center near Roses Discount Store, folks can satisfy their ice cream cravings with no less than 38 delicious flavors, all handcrafted by Favi herself.
In fact, Favi has created 48 distinct flavors, with 38 being on display at any given time.
Favi takes the time to make sure each unique flavor is at its creamiest perfection before introducing it to her customers.
As her daughter, Lizbeth Fernandez, will attest, Favi does not compromise on flavor or quality.
Lizbeth ' s certainty is in no small part due to the many hours of peeling and preparing fresh fruit for her mother – fresh fruit being a staple in many of the flavors.
In addition to the delicious ice cream, Gigi ' s Homemade Ice Cream has a variety of other food offerings, including authentic Mexican desserts and other items.
As far as Favi is concerned, food, business and family go together.
Even the business ' s name is a reflection of that.
Gigi ' s is named after Favi ' s eightyear-old granddaughter, Genesis Grace.
Genesis is also on the store logo, and on top of all that, she is also the Official Ice Cream Taste Tester!
In fact, the whole business is a family affair, according to Favi.
Her niece, Lorena Fernandez, started the business in 2018, and Favi took it over in 2019, taking on the challenge of becoming a first-time entrepreneur.
Favi said she thought hard about whether or not to go for it, and consulted her husband and her kids.
Her husband, Ronnie Luttrell, was fully supportive, as were her children, and so she jumped right in, nervous but more confident due to her family ' s encouragement.
Favi ' s family not only supported her emotionally, but also in action: They all pitched in and helped make the business a success, through hard times and good.
And now, six years later, not only is the Somerset location doing well, but her family has opened another location in Columbia, about a 40
A few of the many original, fresh, homemade ice creams available at Gigi ' s Homemade Ice Cream. Photo by Shane Morgan
JULY 2025 SEKY- Southeast Kentucky Life • 7