Our dad, Vergil, was truly one of a kind—anyone who knew him would agree. In the 1960s, he and our beautiful mother were building a life together in Atlanta. By day, Dad ran his own HVAC and kitchen remodeling business. By night, he was chasing an even bigger dream, attending John Marshall Law School. Mom was just as driven—early in their marriage, she studied key punch operations in Chicago (a precursor to computer programming) and later put those skills to work at the Sinclair Oil corporate office in downtown Atlanta.

One Sunday afternoon, everything changed.

The phone rang, and on the other end was a frantic restaurateur named Joe Giordano. His restaurant, Gigi’s, was filled with smoke, and he had been told that Vergil was the man who could fix it. Dad didn’t hesitate—he headed straight over. After climbing onto the roof, he discovered a broken fan belt. A quick trip to a nearby service station, a fast repair, and within minutes the dining room was smoke-free.

Joe was beyond grateful. When he asked what he owed, Dad replied, “I don’t want your money—I want to earn your business.” Stunned by his integrity, Joe insisted he take something home and handed him a pepperoni pizza instead.

That simple act marked the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Inspired, Dad made a bold decision: he sold his businesses, finished law school as promised to Mom, and moved the family to St. Petersburg to enter the restaurant world—Gigi’s Italian Restaurant, of course. We left Atlanta the very night of his last class, piled into a U-Haul, and headed south.

Just three months later, on December 1, 1967, Mom and Dad opened the very first Gigi’s in Florida in South Pasadena.

They say the sense of smell is powerful—and it’s true. Even today, walking into our kitchens brings back the aroma of that very first pepperoni pizza. It’s still a favorite.

Carrying on what our parents started has been one of the greatest honors of our lives. We’re proud to serve the wonderful community of St. Petersburg and the surrounding beaches. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or ordering delivery from one of our two locations, we’re here to bring you the same comforting flavors and warm hospitality that started it all.