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Rockaway 'Ice Lady' Teams Up With New Brewery for Beer-Based Summer Treat

By Katie Honan | July 11, 2016 3:54pm
 Nae Dailey sells unique ices from her bike around Rockaway.
Nae Dailey sells unique ices from her bike around Rockaway.
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DNAinfo/Katie Honan

ARVERNE — During the academic year, Nae Dailey is known as a sign language and performing arts teacher in schools around Rockaway.

Once it's over, though, she becomes the "ice lady," riding around the peninsula on a specially-made bike while blasting disco and selling unique Italian ice flavors.

Dailey, 46, moved from East New York to Rockaway Beach in 2011, bringing the route along with her. The gig makes sense for her as a teacher, she said, and in the past she's hired her former students (although this summer she has her 15-year-old son, Seydonni Adams, working a second cart.)

"I have all this time in the summer," she said.

She started her summer, and sometimes after-school, job eight years ago after buying a cart from a sorority sister.

"I've been on a roll ever since," she said.

 

Love my costumers !

A video posted by Nae (@rockaway_ice_lady) on

Dailey's flavors are different from what you'd find at other Italian ices carts.

She dreams up funky creations, like Grandma's Iced Tea and lemon meringue, and a distributor on Long Island mixes them for her, she said. 

Dailey and her son, Seydonni. (DNAinfo/Katie Honan)

While she usually rides from Beach 17th to Beach 125th street, this weekend she started a new collaboration with the Rockaway Brewing Company, who opened a tasting room on Beach 72nd Street in Arverne this summer.

She pairs a Hawaiian Pineapple and Brazilian Passion Fruit ice with a glass of the company's Pharm Saison beer — creating a fruity and refreshing drink that's still looking for a name.

The brewery special — a mix of beer and ices. (DNAinfo/Katie Honan)

Co-owner Marcus Burnett spotted Dailey riding around the neighborhood a few weeks ago and invited her to sell from inside. She now stops off at the family-friendly brewery three times a day, offering something for kids and adults alike.

The local partnerships for Rockaway Brewing also include nearby Goody's, and Last Dragon Pizza, who will host a special pizza "delivery" service each Sunday.

"It's nice to partner with the local businesses," Burnett said. 

Nae's Italian Ice is available for birthday parties, block parties and any private events. Follow her on Instagram or call 347-619-2421.