by: John Rodriguez
Although you can buy ices from trucks, stores, and carts being pushed around areas within the big apple, there is only one place were a simple shout of “Gamma!” at a particular window can deliver you a reasonably priced treat. And if you’re out wandering the streets of New York City on a hot summer day and happen to find yourself in the Bronx stop by Providencia Lamultt’s place and grab yourself a flavored ice.
The 81-year-old Lamultt, nicknamed “Gramma” by customers, from Puerto Rico sells her ices through her apartment window at Tiebour Avenue simply by lowering a bucket housing the treats to awaiting customers. Lamultt’s service is quite simple, “The kids yell ‘Gramma, Gramma-cherry, cherry’ through my window,” describes Lamultt, “I lower my bucket to get the money. I put the ice in and lower it to the ground.”
Just like Estevez, other neighbors agree that Lamultt’s ices are worth a visit and two quarters. Kris Hernandez boasts that, “You can’t buy these at a store. Gramma’s ices are so unique. The coconut has real chunks of coconut.” He also goes on to add that, “bodegas cost twice as much and aren’t half as good.” So if you wind up in the Bronx on a hot day like the past few ones, grab an ice from Gramma to cool yourself down.
