Little Italy

Little Italy - photo Bob PerkoskiLittle Italy - photo Bob Perkoski

Mention Little Italy to a Clevelander and you are likely to be regaled with stories of Neapolitan-style pizza, veal parm and creamy gelato. That's expected as this historic neighborhood has been home to Italian immigrants for generations. But dig a little deeper and you'll discover a lively borough where students, artists, families and visitors peaceably coexist. Second only to the restaurants in popularity are the area's art galleries and studios. Nearly two dozen galleries can be found along the charming brick lanes, with the highest concentration taking up residence in a converted brick schoolhouse. Close to University Circle and its medical, cultural and educational institutions, Little Italy is a natural choice for students and staffers of those institutions to live, eat and play. 

Rascals and Rogues: Angelo "Big Ange" Lonardo
Writer Ralph Horner, who grew up in inner city Cleveland and spent much of his career selling men's shoes on Euclid Avenue, shares his memories of some of the characters he met on Short Vincent in the 1950s and 1960s in his FreshWater series, "Rascals and Rogues."
Joseph Carabelli: Stonecutter, Little Italy legacy
Cleveland Masterworks: Joseph Carabelli settled in Little Italy as a stone cutter and quickly built his reputation on works like the Wade Memorial Chapel in Lake View Cemetery.
Open for (history) business: Lake View Cemetery landmarks are ready for visitors this summer
After remaining closed since the pandemic's onset, Lake View Cemetery is ready to welcome back visitors to the Garfield Memorial and Wade Chapel on Memorial Day.
What’s in a name? WRHS historian to examine origins of CLE neighborhood names at virtual event
Western Reserve Historical Society's John Grabowski will explore how local neighborhood name changes have been influenced by shifting demographics, politicians, developers, and urban planners.
Where the retro hits the road: Little Italy photographer David Schwartz gets his pix on Route 66
What started as a curious detour inspired by Depeche Mode's "Route 66" song turned into a longtime love affair with the iconic highway for photographer David Schwartz—and now we get to enjoy the end result with a new must-see exhibition.
PRE4CLE makes preschool a priority in Cleveland
PRE4CLE is all about preparing preschoolers for kindergarten, which studies show pays dividends down the road. As the organization reaches the five-year mark, it has much to celebrate but also decisions to make about where to go next.
150 years of solitude at Lake View Cemetery
Lake View Cemetery is turning 150 years old. Time for a party or two at one of Cleveland's most beautiful final resting spots.
Summer Sprout takes urban gardeners from rookies to green thumbs
Replacing urban vacant lots with green spaces provides countless benefits for local neighborhoods, but one of the most rewarding parts of the city's gardening program is seeing beginning gardeners transform into leaders.
The state of Cleveland print media: Local journalists ponder journalism in the next era
Anyone who set foot in the Beachland Ballroom last Saturday might have thought the rumors of print media's demise have been greatly exaggerated. At the sold-out Concert for Truth, more than 450 people gathered to show their support for local journalism and those who bring us the news every day. The event featured 11 local musicians who volunteered their time and talents to raise about $5,000 for the 24 Plain Dealer employees who are being laid off after March.
Why Say Yes to Education is a game-changer for not just CMSD students, but all of Cleveland
With 20 cities in the running, Cleveland’s chances of becoming the next Say Yes to Education chapter—and only the fourth in the country to receive the distinction—were just a paltry five percent. Yet according to Say Yes founder George Weiss, it was no contest.
Common Ground momentum continues as community projects take flight
Lauren Calig was inspired when she attended the "Facing History Together" Common Ground conversation in June, geared at restoring trust and civility in public discourse. But it didn't stop there—Calig, Laurel School's director of multicultural curriculum, decided to institute a series of ongoing lunchtime Common Ground conversations for middle and upper school students at Laurel. 
Neighborhoods by the numbers: How the new Progress Index is a win for CLE residents
Three years in the making, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) is ready to release its Progress Index to the public. Aimed at fostering inclusive Cleveland communities of choice and opportunity, the Index had previously been available to Cleveland’s 31 community development corporations (CDCs), who helped test and fine-tune the tool.
Rare Japanese art takes the spotlight in Little Italy at The Verne Gallery
“A lot of people take for granted that this little special Japanese print gallery is in Cleveland,” says Michael Verne, who took over the gallery more than 30 years ago. “This is the one place in the world that you can see some of the highest-quality Japanese prints.”
Bike Scene Social
As the summer solstice looms, groups of cycling advocates invite riders to celebrate Cleveland’s best bike year ever amid a host of two-wheeled activities with something for everyone.
Podcast: a Clevelander 'steps up' to University Hospitals — and a local jobs pipeline beefs up
This episode of "Neighbor Up Spotlight" welcomes Amanda Harris, who tells her successful employment story that was made possible by an innovative program — Step Up to UH. Also, Alicenne Passavanti explains how like opportunities are expanding into the hospitality industry.
Offbeat eats: six of the best local ethnic eateries
Iraqi kebobs, duck blood soup and hard to find Latino spirits — that's just for starters in this under-the-radar roundup of some the best (and little known) noshing in the 216.
A look back: two CIA grads reflect on their time in Cleveland – a 'well made place'
Two Cleveland Institute of Art graduates took the lessons they learned in the 216, became pioneers in web design and now helm one of Inc.'s fastest growing companies.
Four cornerstones: historic ethnic churches thrive in a modern world
Fresh Water explores a quartet of Cleveland's ethnic houses of worship that endure in traditions of faith, history and culture.
Partner content podcast: What does Neighbor Up do?
The latest episode of "Neighbor Up Spotlight" is now available. "Neighbor Up Spotlight: What does Neighbor Up do?" is a 15-minute kitchen table conversation between host Carol Malone and Neighbor Up member Tom O'Brien focusing on how Neighbor Up came together and what members are doing to make change in Cleveland.

Hosted by Malone, a Cleveland resident and activist, each episode of "Neighbor Up Spotlight" focuses on members of Neighbor Up, a network of approximately 2,000 Greater Cleveland residents making positive change in their neighborhoods. This resident-driven social change movement is about bringing equity to all Cleveland neighborhoods.

Listen to “Neighbor Up Spotlight" on Soundcloud or download episodes from iTunes. Or just click below to hear the latest edition right now.




Support for this series, "Grassroots Success: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods," is provided by Neighborhood Connections.