From One Shop to Statewide Success
La Pale Frozen Fruit Bar began as a small ice cream shop in Brownsville, inspired by their family’s long history in the ice cream business. Gerardo, co-owner of La Pale, comes from a family that has owned over 30 ice cream shops across the United States and Mexico since the 1930s. When he and his wife Daisy launched their own business in 2019, they combined that family tradition with their own vision to bring something special to the community. The name “La Pale,” short for “La Paletería” or “La Paleta,” represents their connection to both their family background and the culture of the Valley.
What started as a local shop soon grew into something much bigger. La Pale now produces signature mini paletas that are sold in H-E-B stores across Texas, with plans to expand distribution nationwide. A big part of that growth came from support through the eBridge Fund. Daisy first discovered the opportunity while looking for ways to grow the business through the Startup Texas program. She saw the fund as a chance to take a step back and think more strategically about the future of the business.
Scaling Up and Finding New Opportunities
“We had been running the business and doing things without a clear plan,” Daisy said. “The eBridge Fund helped us plan out our next steps and finally scale.” That plan included investing in new equipment that allowed them to manufacture at a much larger scale. This was a key step in meeting grocery store requirements and increasing their distribution across Texas.
In addition to increasing production, the eBridge experience opened doors to new opportunities they hadn’t expected. Through leads from the Texas Department of Agriculture, La Pale began white-labeling frozen treats for other businesses. It wasn’t something they expected, but it allowed them to keep their team working and introduced them to a new part of the industry.
Learning and Moving Forward
The guidance and learning environment at the eBridge Center also helped Daisy grow as a business owner, and she understood how valuable it was to keep learning while running a business. “I’m a firm believer that I’m a lifelong learner,” she said. “Being part of eBridge, UTRGV, and BCIC gave us the support, knowledge, and help we needed.”
La Pale has gone from a single Brownsville shop to shelves across Texas. That growth comes from years of hard work, vision, and community support. Support from BCIC and the eBridge Fund helped along the way by giving them the tools and resources to keep moving forward. Whether enjoyed in-store or pulled from the freezer aisle, La Pale’s treats aim to give families something they can keep enjoying together. Their story shows how dedication and the right resources can turn a local idea into something much bigger.