These 6 Businesses Have Survived the Depression, War and Now the Pandemic
August 30, 2020: New York Times
Teitel Brothers has had a dedicated clientele, through thick and thin, for 105 years. Owner, Gilbert Teitel, adds he’s never seen anything like the current situation in his entire life. However, he still enjoys discussing foods and socializing with customers while getting used to the new normal. Not recognizing long-time customers because of face masks can be taxing, but safety remains important. Read more, here.
Venerable NYC businesses riding out pandemic after surviving decades of life’s twists and turns
August 29, 2020: Daily News
Egidio Pastry Shop opened in 1912, and has stayed in businesses due to the bond between her store and the neighborhood, shares owner, Maria Carmela Lucciola. It’s been important to be honest with the customers and make a good product. One final advantage, an 85 year old oven. Read more, here.
Controversy Over Columbus Statue in the Bronx
August 28, 2020: NY1
A Bronx resident has started a petition to remove the Christopher Columbus statue from D’Auria Murphy Triangle, however Frank Franz, treasurer of the Belmont BID, shares that it’s part of the community as it was privately commissioned by residents. He adds that destroying history takes away from future generations learning about who they are and where they came from. Watch the segment, here.
NYC Restaurant Owners Want an Indoor Dining Plan
August 24, 2020: WCBS-NY
Bronx Little Italy business owner, Peter Madonia, believes the City is waiting to see how school reopening goes before they allow indoor dining to resume. However, restaurant owners are desperate for a reopening plan that they can begin working on now. Listen to the segment, here.
Arthur Avenue Outdoor Dining
August 24, 2020: WABC-AM
Arthur Avenue is open for business, the street has turned into a great space for al fresco dining with restaurants adding table, chairs, flowers, plants, tents and umbrellas. Piazza di Belmont, the closure of Arthur Ave from East 188th St to Crescent Ave to vehicular traffic takes place Thursdays – Saturdays 6pm-10pm and Sundays 1pm-9:30pm. Listen to the segments, here and here.
Arthur Avenue: What to See, Do, and Eat Right Now
August 24, 2020: Street Easy
For many reasons, Arthur Avenue is arguable one of the best streets in NYC. One of the main reasons, is of course, the food! Many shopkeepers continue the traditional ways of hand-making the most delicious Italian foods. Read more, here.
Owner of Dominick’s on Arthur Avenue on Open Restaurants
August 24, 2020: Bronx Net
The City’s Open Restaurant program has allowed restaurants to serve their customers outdoors. However, as colder weather approaches, restaurants in NYC are wondering when indoor dining will resume. Charlie DiPaolo, owner of Dominick’s Restaurant, would like to welcome customers back inside safely as he isn’t able to serve as many people outside as he would like to. Watch the segment, here.
The Hottest Commodity in Pandemic New York? Fresh Air
August 21, 2020: New York Times
As we learn more about the novel coronavirus, more New Yorkers are embracing the outdoors. Robert Paciullo has built elaborate al fresco dining areas at his Zero Otto Nove and Fiasco restaurants on Arthur Avenue for his patrons. Piazza di Belmont, which closes Arthur Avenue to traffic on weekend evenings to allow for more space for al fresco dining has brought the vibe back to the neighborhood shares Belmont BID chairman, Peter Madonia. Read more, here.
Importance of Indoor Dining
August 20, 2020: WCBS-NY
Peter Madonia, chairman of the Belmont BID, is asking why indoor dining is allowed in lower Westchester restaurants, but not allowed just over the border in places like Arthur Avenue and Woodlawn. Listen, here.
Importance of Indoor Dining
August 19, 2020: WINS-AM
Peter Madonia, chairman of the Belmont BID, shares that not allowing indoor dining in NYC is detrimental for the restaurant industry, but also hurts the City’s finances due to a significant decrease in sales tax and payroll tax revenues. Listen, here.
Road to Reopening
August 18, 2020: WCBS-NY
The City has not allowed for indoor dining within the five boroughs and it is having devastating impacts on the restaurant industry. Regina Delfino, fifth generation owner of Mario’s Restaurant is asking for a lifeline – something has to give. Peter Madonia, shares that during the winter, which is right around the corner, outdoor dining won’t be sustainable. Watch the segment, here.
Pepperoni in Short Supply
August 17, 2020: News 12 The Bronx
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pepperoni is in short supply, but have no fear pepperoni lovers, Full Moon and Ivana’s Pizzeria both share the shortage hasn’t impacted the Bronx – they still have plenty to share of the unique item. Watch the segment, here.
Bronx Power 50
August 17, 2020: City & State New York
Congratulations to the Belmont BIDs Executive Director, Philip Marino, on being named as part of City & State’s Bronx Power 50. Adapting the neighborhood to the novel coronavirus is just one of the ways he’s moving the Bronx forward. Read more, here.
Tourist Businesses Struggle
August 17, 2020: Spectrum 1
Bronx Beer Hall co-owner, Anthony Ramirez, is encouraging residents to shop local and support small businesses in their communities. The open streets in Bronx Little Italy have allowed patrons to dine al fresco and offer them more street space to walk around. Watch the segment, here.
Little Italy of the Country
August 15, 2020: WGMD-FM
Chef Bob Ciprietti grew up in the Bronx near Arthur Avenue and now owns operates Touch of Little Italy Restaurants in Maryland and Delaware, but believes our very own Bronx Little Italy is the Little Italy of the country, one of the only few left. Listen, here.
Bronx Little Italy Reopens
August 13, 2020: This is The Bronx
As businesses adjust to the new normal in Bronx Little Italy, commitment, perseverance, and unity are prevalent. Arthur Cantina, Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles, and Enzo’s of Arthur Avenue share how they’ve been coping and what they see ahead. Read more, here.
How COVID-19 has changed Little Italy neighborhoods across the US
August 11, 2020: Matador Network
When various businesses in the neighborhood had to close due to COVID-19, it was like losing a piece of our soul, shares Peter Madonia, Belmont BID chairman. The restaurant industry has turned to the outdoors for outdoor dining, which almost all restaurants in the district are partaking in. Read more, here.
Live from Arthur Avenue
August 10, 2020: Italian American Radio
Local neighborhood businesses are open for business as they continue to serve their customers. The Belmont BID, Cerini Coffee & Gifts, Gerbasi Ristorante and Artuso Pastry provide on update on what they’ve been up. Listen, here.
We’re Open
August 6, 2020: Viewing NYC
Families have been through a lot this year, especially after Storm Isaias, fortunately in Little Italy the Bronx, power wasn’t disrupted and Dave Greco from Mike’s Deli is encouraging people to come on down and eat, drink and be happy. Watch the segment, here.
See How the Best Mozzarella in NYC is Made at Casa Della Mozzarella in the Bronx
August 6, 2020: Viewing NYC
Casa Della Mozzarella is a small Italian deli just off of Arthur Avenue in the famous Little Italy section of the Bronx. Watch and learn as owner Orazio Carciotto shows you the tricks of the trade. Watch, here.
Most Bronx Businesses Hanging On – For Now
August 4, 2020: City Limits
COVID-19 has been devastating for countless businesses across the nation. Belmont BID Chairman, Peter Madonia, talks about the impact of the novel coronavirus in the neighborhood. Read more, here.
Elisa’s Scoop
August 1, 2020: Travelin Cousins
A busy day was spent in Bronx Little Italy, visiting Arthur Cantina Wine & Liquor, which is looking great and seeing a lot of business through their website, having a donnoli – cannoli doughnut- at Gino’s Pastry Shop, and Borgatti’s Ravioli and Egg Noodles where fresh pasta was being handmade. Read more, here.