FOODIE WATCH

Frutilandia offers shaved ice, fresh fruit, more

Franchising began about 4 years ago

Nicholle Luna preps a strawberry treat on a recent weekday at Frutilandia of Chandler. The Mexican dessert drinks and more location is combined with a Taqueria Factory, both owned by Gamaliel “Gabriel” Garfio and his wife, Maria.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

When Gamaliel “Gabriel” Garfio and his wife decided to start a business, they wanted to aim for a niche that wasn’t already in the Valley.

Mexican dessert-type drinks seem to be just the ticket.
“Now, you see similar offerings in the Valley,” Garfio said. “But I can tell you 17 years ago, when we started, there weren’t any.”

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