The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Mama Mia’s cold treats
Educator launches ice cream truck named for stepdaughter’s favorite film
MIDDLETOWN — A local educator is trading in the classroom this summer for an ice cream truck decked out in colorful dots and equipped with a bubble machine.
Valerie Zimmer of New Britain, a student engagement specialist at Beman Middle School in Middletown, just launched Mama Mia’s Ice Cream Truck, a twist on the popular film “Mamma Mia!” so named by her 7-year-old stepdaughter, Mia, for her all-time favorite musical.
“She’s obsessed with that movie and that song, because she thinks they wrote the song for her,” said Zimmer, 27. “She picked out the colors … and was the driving force behind that.”
Zimmer is a former social and emotional learning interventionist at Spencer Elementary School, who grew up in the city and attended local schools before purchasing a home in New Britain eight months ago.
She launched her new business Friday at the Middletown Prof Gallitto charity basketball game where city police faced off against firefighters at the recreation center on Wilderman’s Way.
She had never in her life considered becoming a business owner.
“It’s fun,” Zimmer said. “It doesn’t feel like work.”
After witnessing a scarcity of ice cream trucks operating in Middletown and surrounding towns, Zimmer began educating herself with online sources in February, deciding whether to use a truck or van, the best type of freezer and other features, she said.
She turned to Facebook groups where people from all over the world shared insight into every step of the process.
“That’s where I got most of my knowledge,” Zimmer said. “I’m learning so much through this process, it’s crazy.”
Zimmer said her stepdaughter and teen nieces help with the endeavor and serve customers.
Zimmer had been searching for a job during the summer, but hadn’t yet found the ideal gig, she said.
“This is way more fulfilling,” she said. “I get to see the students throughout the summer. I worked at summer camps, but something like this, I can do it on my own time.”
Mama Mia’s has a distinct look — a white truck with pink, gold and blue bubble decals of different sizes, and a little bubblemaking machine set out on the counter — all Miaapproved.
“She would want everything more sparkly, but we compromised a little bit with the blue and sparkles,” Zimmer said.
Mama Mia’s sells a wide array of novelty ice creams, snacks and drinks, but Zimmer personally likes to keep it simple.
“Strawberry shortcake,” she said. “That’s my go-to. I could eat so many of those.”
Those and Oreo dessert bars pose a “danger,” Zimmer joked, since the truck is always parked in the driveway.
Her stepdaughter and nieces get “paid” with ice cream for working their shifts. But there’s a limit for Mia: “She gets a maximum of two when we’re out selling,” her stepmother said.
Otherwise, Zimmer added, “she will sit there and eat all of them.”
Her nieces are also allowed to keep their tips.
One big favorite is the Kung Fu Panda ice cream, which she has in stock. Zimmer also takes requests for other types.
Her products range from 50 cents for ice pops, with some other desserts selling between $1 and $2. She said other ice cream vendors’ price points are $5 or $6.
“Not everybody has that type of money, and I’m aware of that,” she said. “Kids come up with some change that they’ve found. Even if it’s not 50 cents, I give it to them. Any kids that want something, they’re able to afford something.”
Zimmer will look into adding soft-serve ice cream to her offerings in the future.
She said children are going for the ice pop flavor of Prime Hydration sports drinks and the Takis rolled corn chips.
Mama Mia’s plays an upbeat remix of classic ice cream truck jingles.
“Impulse control goes out the window,” Zimmer said. “Kids are dancing, parents are dancing. It’s funny to see.”
Zimmer has already booked a spot at a school staff member’s wedding and school events, such as field and teacher appreciation days. She’ll be selling sweets at upcoming events hosted by the recreation department, such as summer camps, and plans to visit Little League games, and stop by local parks, such as the one on Butternut Street.