In New York City's 'real' Little Italy, Arthur Avenue's family-owned shops keep tradition alive - Bronx Times

"Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is often called New York City's "real Little Italy," a distinction from Manhattan's Little Italy. Longtime business owners say this "comes from generations of Italian immigrant families who continue to live the American Dream." Unlike Manhattan's Little Italy, which has become a tourist commodity, the Bronx's Little Italy remains defined by family-owned bakeries, butcher shops and sandwich counters with roots extending back more than a century."

"The neighborhood dates back to the 1700s, when Pierre Lorillard established P. Lorillard & Co., the first tobacco company in New York, on the site that would become Arthur Avenue. Families all over Italy began immigrating to the Bronx in the early 19th century and continued to arrive throughout the late 20th century. As a result, they established family-owned bakeries, butcher shops, and restaurants over several generations, creating a tight-knit community where neighbors knew each other by name and supported one another."

"Today, Belmont showcases a wide variety of regional Italian cuisines and distinctive culinary influences, reflecting the ongoing legacy and diversity of its Italian immigrant population. Two of those businesses - DeLillo's Pastry Shop and Casa Della Mozzarella - tell that story through the people who run them. Josephine Florio has worked at DeLillo's Pastry Shop since 1984, carrying on a legacy passed down through her family after they immigrated from Italy's Amalfi Coast in the early 20th century."

Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is widely recognized as New York City's 'real Little Italy' and remains rooted in generations of Italian immigrant families. The neighborhood's economy centers on family-owned bakeries, butcher shops, sandwich counters, and restaurants with histories extending more than a century. The area traces to the 1700s when Pierre Lorillard established P. Lorillard & Co. Italian families immigrated to the Bronx across the 19th and 20th centuries, establishing multigenerational businesses and a tight-knit community where neighbors supported one another. Belmont highlights diverse regional Italian cuisines and distinctive culinary influences embodied by establishments like DeLillo's and Casa Della Mozzarella.

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