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For Rockette Nicole Baker Luftig of Upper Saddle River, it was her first visit to the popular, 60-year-old homemade ice cream shop on Ackerman Avenue.
“We’re visiting different businesses around the community – places where people can make time for joy,” said Rockette Sarah Staker of New York City.
“That’s exactly what the Christmas Spectacular does every year,” she added. “We’re really excited to do that this year from Nov. 11 through Jan. 2.”
For the occasion, Van Dyk’s owners Corinna and Demetrios Kotrokois made sure they had lots of peppermint stick ice cream on hand.
The shop specializes in making small batches of seasonal flavors, Corinna Kotrokois said, with apple pie, pumpkin pie, pumpkin, and cinnamon caramel trending now.
But the Rockettes requested peppermint stick for obvious reasons: it provides residents of Ridgewood and nearby towns with a little bit of Christmastime all year.
“It has broken up candy canes in it,” Kotrokois explained, “and a lot of people come here because it’s one of their favorite flavors.
“It’s also hard to get in other places,” she added. “It’s something that makes us special.”
The Rockettes presented the owners with a certificate of recognition from the Radio City Rockettes as being a spectacular place to make time for joy.
“Congratulations to everyone who’s part of the Van Dyk’s Ice Cream family from our family to yours,” Luftig said in making the presentation.
Most of the dancers’ attention was taken up by children, especially little girls whose faces lit up to see them.
“When did you start taking dance lessons?” one asked Staker.
“Is this how you kick?” asked another, showing her best kick line form. “How far up does your foot have to go?”
“To eye level,” Staker replied.
Tickets for this year’s Christmas Spectacular at Radio City can be purchased here or at the Radio City box office.
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