Little Italy - A Walk Through History!

Little Italy - A Walk Through History!

Little Italy is a neighborhood of New York City located in lower Manhattan, bounded by Tribeca to the west, Chinatown to the south, the Lower East Side to the east, and Nolita to the north. In the 1880s, large populations of immigrants from Naples and Sicily moved into the area, creating a neighborhood with vibrant Italian culture, vestiges of which remain to this day. Though the area was once expansive, today the neighborhood consists of only a few blocks along Mulberry Street.

Though recent surges of new boutiques, cafes, and bars have changed the old-world feel of Little Italy, there are still a number of historic businesses and restaurants to check out –most notably Angelo’s or Puglia’s, which has been around since 1919. The area is a great respite from the retail madness of Soho and the late-night bar scene of the Lower East Side. Grab some gelato after your classic Italian meal and wander the quaint neighborhood where you’ll find beautiful architecture, religious statues of the Madonna, and even the occasional long-time residents chatting in Italian. And be sure to stop by one of the remaining specialty stores, often run by fourth or fifth generation family members, to buy some top-notch Italian cheese or wine.

However, restaurants and old fashioned grocers aren’t the only vestiges of the area’s history. If you’re visiting the area, take a trip to the Italian American Museums, located at the intersection of Mulberry and Grand Streets, to learn about the long history of Little Italy and its residents. Even the building itself is a lasting reminder of the area’s previous inhabitants. It was once home to the Banco Stabile, which was founded in 1885 to offer services, such as banking, a post office, and travel services, to the Italian immigrant population. 

For information on the Little Italy neighborhood and other exciting homes for sale in Manhattan, contact Robert DeFalco Realty at 718-748-7000 (NYC Service Office, member of Manhattan MLS) or stop by our conveniently located one-stop center at 8823 3rd Ave. in Brooklyn. 1678 Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, 718-987-7900 for our Staten Island Office or in New Jersey at 315 Rte 34 in Colts Neck, 732-845-3200.  Bi-lingual agents are available.

Robert DeFalco Realty is a member of the Manhattan Multiple Listing Service(MLS), Serving NYC, Brooklyn , Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, and New Jersey.