“I only see maybe two percent of what I used to see ten years ago.”
Who are the Italian Americans of Cobble Hill?
Beginning in the late 1800s, Cobble Hill was historically an Italian neighborhood. Mola, Naples, and Sicily were the three major areas that they immigrated from. After World War II, there was large revival of Italian and Italian Americans arriving to Cobble Hill. Italians dominated this area between the 1950s and the 1960s. They also lived around many religious institutions such as St. Peter’s Church and St. Francis Cabrini Chapel.
How was work life for Italian Americans?
Italians immigrated to Cobble Hill during the 1950s for dock work that provided a stable income because Cobble Hill is near the waterfront. Most work included hauling cargo. The Cobble Hill Towers on Hicks Street is an example of where some of these Italians lived and worked. These jobs allowed for some people to move up in a social context.
Why leave?
Slowly, but surely, the Italian population decreased as many began to leave the historic neighborhood. Now, there is only a small presence of an older generation of Italian Americans near the Yemen Cafe. However, other Italian Americans have assimilated to the life in Cobble Hill.
Popular Authentic Italian Places
If you are a real carnivore, check out:
- Staubitz Meat Market is a family-owned butcher shop that was established in 1917 over on Court Street.
The left image was taken by Sean Ellingson for Timeout and the right image was taken by MK Metz.
- Los Paisanos is another meat market that has been serving people for more than 45 years on Smith Street.
For some delicious food and pastries, you might like to try:
- Take a look at history if you go to Sam’s, a restaurant and pizzeria founded in the 1930s. Sam’s is very well-known for its old-fashioned look and fantastic pizzas.
Posted by Ken Mac.
- There is also an Italian owned bakery, Court Pastry Shop.
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