Located in the Belmont section of the Bronx, Arthur Avenue is renowned for its traditional Italian-American atmosphere. The history of this iconic street dates back to 1792, when Pierre Lorillard opened the first tobacco company, “P. Little Italy of the Bronx” has a heritage of Italian immigrants that dates back to around 1910 or 1920.
Arthur Avenue
and Morris Park are considered to be the Bronx's main Italian-American communities.Other Italian-American neighborhoods in the Bronx include Schuylerville, Country Club, Pelham Bay, and sections of Fordham. The avenue itself gets its name from the old United States. The origins of Arthur Avenue date back to the late 18th century, when Pierre Lorillard opened a tobacco company and a manufacturing plant. A century later, when the family decided to move their farm to New Jersey, the plant was sold and eventually became the New York Botanical Garden.
We can thank Catharine Lorillard Wolfe for the name of this famous street, who requested that it be named after her favorite president, Chester A. Arthur, when selling parts of the property. There is a persistent myth that one of the Lorillards named Arthur Avenue after President Chester A. Arthur. A reality show called Mama's Boys of the Bronx was about adult men who lived on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx and its surrounding area with their mothers.
A short walk east along Fordham Road, with Fordham University campus on the left, leads to Arthur Avenue, known as “Little Italy” of the Bronx. This neighborhood also contains important representations of Albanians and Mexicans.
Arthur Avenue
stands out for its traditional Italian-American atmosphere and its abundance of delicious products imported from Italy. It is also remarkable for its relative stability in a city where not even an 80-year-old institution like the Carnegie Deli is safe. The Italian rock band Elio e le Storie Tese included a simulated advertisement for a grocery store on Arthur Avenue in their song Gargaroz. It's in the hands of the fourth generation of Madonias and with a cash-only policy and full cannolis while you wait, it was exactly what I expected when I walked into Arthur Avenue.New Yorkers know that while Manhattan's Little Italy has all but disappeared, they can still find a thriving center for all things Italian-American on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. This street acquired its Italian identity at the turn of the century during a wave of immigration that brought 5.3 million Italians to New York. However, the name “Arthur Street” appears on the New York City Department of Public Parks topographic map of the Bronx in 1873. For centuries, Arthur Avenue has been an integral part of New York City's Italian-American culture and heritage. It is home to some of the best Italian restaurants and bakeries in town, as well as numerous specialty shops selling imported goods from Italy.
Visitors can also find traditional Italian markets selling fresh produce and meats, as well as delis offering homemade sausages and cheeses. Whether you're looking for a taste of authentic Italian cuisine or just want to experience a piece of history, Arthur Avenue is definitely worth a visit. From its humble beginnings as a tobacco company to its current status as one of New York City's most beloved Italian-American neighborhoods, Arthur Avenue has come a long way over the years. Its unique atmosphere and abundance of delicious products make it an essential part of any visit to New York City.
