Little Italy in the Bronx: My home away from home

For three years now, I have called the Belmont Section of the Bronx, as my home. The Belmont section of the Bronx includes the famed Arthur Avenue or Little Italy of the Bronx. The area is lined with numerous small stores that sell cheeses, fresh pasta, bread and pastries, fresh seafood, meat products and goods from Italy, Albania, etc. It is also home to Arthur Avenue Market where you can get fresh produce all year round. The restaurants that call Little Italy home remain family owned and operated. Some have been open since the early 1900's and have served celebrities, dignitaries and politicians.

During summer, there are three street festivals held in the community. The first is the feast of Mt. Carmel, the patron saint of the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. The second is the feast of St. Anthony and to close the summer, the Ferragosto (harvest festival). The photo of my mom which I used for this entry was taken during the 2011 Ferragosto.

Aside from coming alive during the summer months, Belmont comes alive during the Holiday Season - Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter and Passover. Were in visitors from upstate new York, Pennsylvania and other neighboring states visit the stores here in preparation for the holidays.

If you haven't had the chance to visit Little Italy in the Bronx, please come visit our vibrant and wonderful community!