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Mara’s Ice Cream Parlor Loves Rockaway Beach!

Running her own Ice Cream Parlor has always been a dream of Mara Valentino. Mara has been in the Ice Cream and Italian Ice business for the past 15 years. Mara’s first store was supposed to be on B116th St in Rockaway Park but it seems hurricane Sandy had different plans for her store. In 2013 While having a slice of Pizza at Elegante on B92nd St Mara looked across the street at the new store fronts and decided right there that this was the perfect spot, she signed the lease the next day and her story began! Mara is very proud to be a Woman owned business and part of the Rockaway business community which is filled with other woman owned businesses.

So, what makes Mara’s Ice Cream Parlor so good? It starts with the absolute love and attention from its owner, Mara. Mara has recently added a line of wine Ice cream and vegan choices as well as making her signature hand dipped treats and unique, delicious, creative and unduplicated shakes, sundaes, Belgian waffles and anything else that pops into her head! A dessert destination is how Mara would describe her store.

But… what about the Ice Cream… Mara’s search for the finest Ice Cream led her to Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream which is a family owned creamery in Maine who has been making Ice Cream since the 1800s. Their Ice Cream is made from scratch only using fresh milk and cream from local farms and still made by hand in slow churn machines which date back to the 1940s!

Since her first store opened back in 2013, Mara has moved a few doors down and built a fun, family friendly location complete with its own beach in the backyard. “Being a part of this community is incredibly satisfying, seeing the happy faces of everyone that comes in what keeps me motivated” States Mara. We invite everyone to come down and taste all we have to offer. As most people would say, That Mara is terrific… but she’s Just a little nuts!