Iconic Little Italy Bakery & Deli Closes
By: Elizabeth D'Aurora
Updated: January 18, 2013
Arnone's Italian Bakery and Deli is officially going out of business, ending an era in
Confusion for many customers outside Arnone's Italian Bakery and Deli on Friday as doors were locked and the lights were out.
The store dates back to 1956 when a small deli was opened, followed by a wholesale importing business started by Anthony Arnone in 1977.
In 1993, Anthony and his wife Bernadine reopened the store in its current location at 18th and Cherry Streets.
Now, the 57-year-old store has gone out of business along with the restaurant that previously went out of business.
Carla Rose Fisher, Anthony's daughter, says it's "just a sign of the times in
"Just became increasingly harder to sustain a local business in this economy."
The mural on the side of Arnone's was recently painted by the Little Italy revitalization group.
They say it's unfortunate when a local business has to close its door.
"I think it's a lesson for all of us to shop local," said Rose Graham, SSJ Neighborhood Network Exec. Dir. "If we don't shop local we will lose more of our local companies and we don't want that to happen."
Facebook users left several comments on our page reminiscing.
Leslie Wallen writes, "Such a shame! I used to go there on Sunday mornings with my boys. We would shop and buy deli items to eat during football season."
Denise Alford writes, "This is so sad. I loved their chicken salad, wedding soup, pepperoni bread and their desserts are to die for!"
The SSJ Neighborhood Network will miss the Arnone's but will try to move forward.
"We'll try to recruit somebody else to go into that store because we do need to preserve our neighborhoods and our businesses are a way to do that," Graham said.
Family members say the Arnone's in Wesleyville will remain open.
We're told family members are very upset about going out of business