Archival Photo by Belmont Business Improvement District in the Bronx
While local businesses are adapting to the “new normal”, Little Italy in the Bronx is also doing their part to give back to the community
Located in the heart of the Belmont district of the Bronx, the historic “Little Italy in the Bronx” neighborhood, which includes the iconic Arthur Avenue, is a New York City institution that features the best, authentic Italian restaurants, butchers, bakers, fish markets, delis, pastry shops, artisan shops and specialty stores. Local businesses are often owned and operated by the same families that founded them nearly a century ago.
Arthur Avenue – Archival Photo by Belmont Business Improvement District in the Bronx
While COVID-19 has devastated the globe and New York City, including Little Italy in the Bronx with over 40 local restaurants, the neighborhood has quickly pivoted and has been navigating their way through the pandemic by offering curbside pickup, takeout and delivery services with a full list of operating establishments which can be found here. What’s more, Little Italy in the Bronx is an open-air shopping venue that is comprised of essential businesses including local grocery stores, convenient stores, pharmacies and wine and liquor shops that remain open with non-perishable items that are in stock and fresh products made daily.
While local businesses are adapting to the “new normal”, Little Italy in the Bronx is also doing their part to give back to the community, particularly to those in the front line including first responders and healthcare workers.
Enzo’s of Arthur Avenue, a family-run restaurant that is owned and operated by Maria Di Rende, recently donated meals to employees of St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, and to the NYPD 48th Precinct to thank New York City’s finest for their continued dedication to protect and serve the community. Enzo’s originally opened in 2005 as a café and later expanded into a larger sit-down restaurant by Maria’s husband Enzo. Sadly, in 2018 Enzo passed away, which is when Maria decided to take over the business to protect and sustain Enzo’s legacy – all while raising her five daughters. Today, Enzo’s is one of the most popular restaurants in the neighborhood, best known for its fried meatballs.
Enzo’s – Photo by Belmont Business Improvement District in the Bronx
Located across the street from Enzo’s, Mike’s Deli in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market is owned and operated by Dave Greco, who recently partnered with the local Fordham Preparatory School, to feed the staff at St. Barnabas Hospital through the Lunch for Life program. Mike’s Deli dates back to the late 1940’s when Mike Greco, Dave’s father, migrated from Calabria, Italy to find work in New York. Nowadays, locals and visitors can often find Dave stretching and shaping fresh homemade mozzarella.
Mike’s Deli – Photo by Belmont Business Improvement District in the Bronx
MichaelAngelo’s is another family-owned restaurant on Arthur Avenue which has been donating warm meals to the emergency rooms of St. Barnabas Hospital, Jacobi Medical Center, Einstein Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center. Located on East 187th Street is Luconi NYC, known for its handmade pizza sauce, which has been donating pizza to St. Barnabas Hospital through the Meals From Medical Students program. The pizzeria has also partnered with Slice Out Hunger to donate meals to first responders at the Bronx NYC EMS station 26.
MichaelAngelo’s – Photo by Belmont Business Improvement District in the Bronx
These are just a few of the local businesses that are giving back to the community, while managing to stay open during this time of crisis.
As the battle against COVID-19 remains and the novel coronavirus is unprecedented, Little Italy in the Bronx continues to stay resilient and works collaboratively to support the ecosystem of the Belmont district of the Bronx which also includes the iconic Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden. With its rich history of 120+ years, Little Italy in the Bronx has survived major historical crises including the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic, the Great Depression, and the September 11th terrorist attacks. On Arthur Avenue there are also five family-owned businesses that are over 100-years-old including Cosenza’s Fish Market, Egidio Pastry Shop, Madonia Bakery, Mario’s Restaurant and Teitel Brothers. Each of these local businesses have been passed down through multiple generations, and today, each shop works to continue that tradition for the future of the Bronx.
To shop and support Little Italy in the Bronx, please visit here.