La Bella Marketplace
La Bella Marketplace is one of Staten Island’s most impressive Italian establishments. Located on the south shore of Staten Island in a small, quantneighborhood, La Bella offers a wide assortment of imported goods from Italy and has the ambiance of an average Italian “mercato”. Upon walking into the marketplace, one is immediately transported into this delectable European cuisine. La Bella Marketplace not only offers a large assortment of Italian delicacies, but it also offers a wide assortment of other ethnic foods.
Though widely referred to as an Italian establishment, La Bella Marketplace can also be considered an American institution because it is a super market that offers a large selection of food, many of which originate from different cultures. For example, the marketplace has a Japanese sushi bar station and also carries an assortment of Asian goods, such as rice, fried noodles, wonton wraps, duck sauce, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and much more. Additionally, one can find Mexican delicacies, such as tacos, salsa sauce, and garbanzo beans, along with American favorites such as peanuts, hamburgers, and hotdogs. Jewish foods can also be found as well at La Bella, such as matzos, bagels, baileys and seltzer water. The wide variety of ethnic foods stocked at this establishment make it one of Staten Island’s most favorable shopping spots. Therefore, in catering to other ethnicities, La Bella Marketplace fits right into the melting pot of American shop culture; however, it is the strong authentic elements of this establishment, which identifies it as being dominantly Italian.
Decorated in red and green, and with Italian flags waving proudly in the isles, La Bella Marketplace’s shelves are full with large quantities of Italian products, many of which are imported. The pasta section of the store is well stocked with numerous brands and different types. Within the store is a bakery where fresh breads and pizza are baked and served everyday. Also available is a fresh butcher shop and fish market, which are reminiscent of the open Italian market places where customers select and choose what they want. Most impressive is the cheese station where every kind of cheese is sold. In addition, there is a huge section of prepared Italian food, all of which are made fresh on the premise, such as chicken parmesan, manicotti, raviolis, penne with vodka sauce, sausage, fresh mozzarella, rice balls and much more. In the back of the supermarket there stands a mini café where one can sit, eat and watch television. While these features make La Bella a unique Italian establishment, the clientele lend a hand towards its authenticity.
The clientele at La Bella Marketplace are predominately Italian, and when necessary, they speak the language to their Italian customers. Such an interaction identifies this establishment as multi-cultural, and it allows the workers to identify themselves by reconnecting with other people from their native land while mingling with other ethnic cultures. Stores like La Bella offer the opportunity for Americans to experience a taste or Italy, while also giving many Italian Americans a place to call home when shopping.
Being an Italian American, La Bella Marketplace is one of my family’s most favorite shopping establishments. I enjoy browsing all of the delicious Italian foods, especially the breads and pastas. One of my favorite treats is “Nutella”, a hazelnut/chocolate spread. My grandmother, who is a native Italian, recalls how “Nutella” was also one of her favorite foods as a child. She would spread it on a thick slice of warm semolina bread and eat it for breakfast or as a snack. Besides buying my fill of “Nutella”, La Bella is the place where my family likes to purchase imported pastas, cheeses, fresh fish, “Orzo”(a coffee substitute made from barley), and many other Italian products which I have grown to savor. My love for the Italian cuisine has grown over the years because I was born into it. The perpetuation of my Italian culture has been a constant in my life from both of my grandparents and my mom and dad. Italian food has always been a part of my life, and I am so proud to be part of the multi-cultural phenomena that exits at La Bella Marketplace and within the community of Staten Island.
