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The sound of bells on a paleta cart is as synonymous with summer as butt sweat. But is pushing popsicles a viable way to earn extra drinking money? Three entrepreneurial editors decided to find out.Turns out anyone can borrow a cart from any of the city’s many paleterías, in some cases without having to pay up front. Here are the results of their day in the sun.

Photo: Tim Klein

Cecilia Wong, Associate Features Editor
My buy-in 120 milk-based paletas from Azteca Paletería (3018 W Cermak Rd, 773-762-9446), which I sold for $1 each, knowing I’d have to pay Azteca 50 cents for each bar I sold.
My strategy Peddling my paletas on a blistering Tuesday afternoon had its advantages: The plan was to zero in on the afterschool crowd and capitalize on children’s sweet tooths. To that end, Little Village/Heart of Chicago was the perfect terrain; four schools and huge Douglas Park were all within pushing distance. And if need be, I could always bust out my secret weapon: trusty ol’ feminine wiles.
A funny thing happened… Toward the end of my shift, a wanna-be Rico Suave snaked up to my cart and accidentally shot some white dust out of his nose and onto my paletas.
Most popular flavor Coconut licked ’em all.
Final take Five hours in the sun + one foot blister + 500 calories gained from dipping into my own reserves + one marriage proposal = 46 paletas sold. After La Azteca’s cut, my haul for the day was $23.

Photo: Ethan Moltz

Steve Heisler, Comedy Editor
My buy-in The owner of Arco Iris (2950 W Belmont Ave, 773-478-4723) said I’d keep 61 cents profit for each $1.25 paleta sold; I took 210 paletas (milk- and water-based) in 21 flavors.
My strategy I hit the congested areas of Lakeview and Lincoln Park on the hot Memorial Day afternoon, and I solicited the help of my two younger cousins to rope in wavering buyers. After four fruitless hours spent navigating crowded Wrigleyville streets, we headed to the beach. Cha-ching.
A funny thing happened… While passing through the belly of the beast (Clark and Addison Streets on a game day, where I racked up an impressive zero sales), I was stopped by the ball-game police…or whoever that guy was. “Do you have a permit?” he asked. Um…did I? Was I going to get thrown in “the hole”? No, I just had to go across the street where, apparently, a permit wasn’t needed.
Most popular flavor Rice. Yes, rice. Rice.
Final take I sold 97 paletas and pocketed around $60.

Photo: Martha Williams

Scott Smith, Web Editor
My buy-in Paletería La Monarca’s (6955 N Clark St, 773-274-6394) take is 40 cents for the water-based paletas, 50 cents for the milk ones, and 70 cents for the American treats. I charged a dollar for everything, mostly because I am bad at math.
My strategy I was told it’s illegal to sell at parks and the beach, so on Memorial Day I headed down Sheridan Road through Rogers Park to catch people coming and going from the lakefront. This proved to be a total waste of time, so I risked arrest and hit up every park, beach and playlot, which brought me a sales surge and the adoration of children throughout the Far North Side.
A funny thing happened… Everyone seemed to have a suggestion for how to increase my sales, including a homeless guy (“Go down to Grand and Halsted!”).
Most popular flavor Cartoon-shaped ice cream ruled the day.
Final take I thought my dollar-a-bar strategy would mean the American-style treats would be loss leaders, and I’d make a higher profit margin on the paletas. This backfired in a big way, because I sold more of the former than the latter for a total of 85, meaning my take-home was only $35. This is what I get for dropping “Principles of Business” in college.