women-owned
family-run
Narragansett, RI
THE BEGINNING
1985
Nana’s is a multi-generational family business that has become a local staple in Narragansett.
Nana's Ice Cream was founded in 1985 at Narragansett Beach by the Wright Family.
In 2006, the Mann Family purchased Nana’s.
Dianne Mann, owner
FAMILY-RUN
Who is Nana?
At the helm is mom and Nana, Dianne Mann. She retired from crazy corporate world after a 30 year career in finance. Scooping cones sounded like a fun retirement gig but little did she know that running one of the most popular beach shops would be madness.
In 2009, Nana’s expanded to Galilee, where the Block Island Ferry tourists frequented.
In 2011, Dianne added Nana's Candy Bar with walls of nostalgic candy, saltwater taffy and fudge located right next door to Nana's Ice Cream at Narragansett Beach.
Nana, her daughter, and granddaughter
WOMEN-OWNED
THE FAMILY
In 2014, Dianne’s oldest daughter Crissi became a part-owner as the business grew to add more locations in Newport and North Kingstown.
In 2022, Dianne became an actual “Nana” to granddaughter Charlie. Dianne, Crissi and Charlie are the 3 generations of women running this local favorite, and the business has grown ten fold over the last 20 years. (Well, Charlie is only 1, so she eats the profits, but soon we will get her started scooping cones standing on a milk crate)
Nana has grandchild number two on the way!