The Last Butcher in Little Italy

From: Laura Terruso
Length: 15:57

Unlike most Italian Americans, Moe Albanese never left Little Italy. Born on Elizabeth Street in 1925, Moe grew up on this street and helped his parents run their small butcher shop. Today, this shop is the last that remains of Elizabeth Street's Italian American history. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: The Last Butcher in Little Italy
From: Laura Terruso

Albanesemeatsstorefront_small Unlike most Italian Americans, Moe Albanese never left Little Italy. Born on Elizabeth Street in 1925, Moe grew up on this street and helped his parents run their small butcher shop. Today, this shop is the last that remains of Elizabeth Street's Italian American history. At eighty two, Moe is the shops only employee. He trims meat to his customer's specifications while recounting the history of the neighborhood and the people who lived there. This piece uses Mr. Albanese's oral history interviews to tell the story of one of the first Italian enclaves in America. It also addresses issues pertaining to immigration, gentrification and the corporatization of consumption in the twenty first century.

Piece Description

Unlike most Italian Americans, Moe Albanese never left Little Italy. Born on Elizabeth Street in 1925, Moe grew up on this street and helped his parents run their small butcher shop. Today, this shop is the last that remains of Elizabeth Street's Italian American history. At eighty two, Moe is the shops only employee. He trims meat to his customer's specifications while recounting the history of the neighborhood and the people who lived there. This piece uses Mr. Albanese's oral history interviews to tell the story of one of the first Italian enclaves in America. It also addresses issues pertaining to immigration, gentrification and the corporatization of consumption in the twenty first century.