Italians Becoming Americans: Di Palo's Cheese Shop, Mott Street

This is the first post in a new series called Italians Becoming Americans in which I will post historic photos of what life was like for Italian immigrants when they first came to the United States. Enjoy the history... 

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Di Palo's Cheese Shop, Mott Street, NY, circa 1925

In 1903, Savino Di Palo made the decision to voyage to America. He left behind family, friends and his small farm, as many men (even my own grandfather) were doing to find a way out of the poverty and strife that was rampant in Italy at the time. He was from the small village of Montemilone, in the mountains of Basilicata. Savino opened a latteria (dairy) in New York’s Little Italy in 1910. It took 4 years for him to send for his family to join him in the new life. In 1925, Savino’s daughter Concetta, opened up a latteria of her own called Di Palo’s on the corner of Mott and Grand Streets. They sold handmade cheeses and fresh milk ladled from large milk cans, delivered fresh from nearby farms. They are still known for artisan cheeses and Italian specialties.

Di Palo's website.

The longevity of shops opened by Italian immigrants is obvious... Di Palo's is still there after all these years.