Little Italy – New York

Little Italy Triplemint

Wikipedia lists not one, but six “Little Italy’s” in New York City.

Manhattan
Italian Harlem
Arthur Avenue
Morris Park
Bensonhurst
Rosebank

So NYC tops the list with the most. In addition, there were dozens of Italian neighborhoods in the five boroughs from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. Pockets still remain, but most of these areas are no longer populated by just Italians. For example, Little Italy in Manhattan has shrunk to a few square blocks, with few Italian families still residing. Most of it overly commercialized and more a tourist attraction, than an Italian neighborhood. Even the San Gennero feast is not the same. The las time I was there a few years ago many of the vendors were not Italian.

My wife’s mom grew up on Spring St, as did my aunt’s husband. Their parents actually came from the same town in Italy. I believe that there is some connection there, as they share some surnames, but DNA did not show a match to my cousin.

We grew up in Corona Queens, which was almost 100% Italian from the ’30’s to the 70’s. Great fun. Their was a beer garden across from my grandmother’s with a bocce court and the Italian feast would be on that block every summer. The Zeppole stand was right outside her gate. Three for a quarter! The salumaria was up the block and at least three bakeries within a few blocks. Those were the days.

Little Italy in New York goes back to the late 1800’s . Rather than go into a all that history here, I will give you some links to articles and some books on the subject, written by people who write better than I. Also, there are some great Youtube videos that you can watch.

Brief History of Little Italy in NYC – Triplemint

The Mulberry Bend – Infamous NY

Italian Harlem – Focus

Arthur Ave – Bronx Little Italy

Some great videos. Eddie Hot Dog used to be across the street from the school and my aunt’s Beauty Parlor. The Lemon Ice King was a few blocks from my grandmothers. We would but the entire container for parties. The best lemon ice ever. Still there today, at least 70 years.