User:Dchiarini/Sandbox

Lou Di Palo is the 4th generation proprietor of [Di Palo’s Dairy], a landmark Italian specialty food store located on Grand Street in New York’s Little Italy since 1925. Lou’s great-grandfather Savino DiPalo came from Basilicata to New York City in 1903. In 1910, he opened one of the country’s first Italian latterie selling freshly made ricotta and mozzarella cheese. In 1925, his grandparents Concetta and Luigi opened a new family store on the corner of Mott and Grand Streets selling provolone and other imported specialties from the South of Italy. In the 1900’s Little Italy was the footprint of the Italian immigrant- the first place people like the Di Palos established new lives for themselves in the United States. By the 1990’s in a changing neighborhood, Di Palos is the last Italian specialty store. The store has become a jewel of the neighborhood, encompassing the nostalgia of old Italy.

Lou is personally involved in every facet of his family business. He travels to Italy several times a year to select the country’s best handcrafted specialties and guarantee their excellence every season He has always made special efforts to understand the passion and tradition that artisans in Italy put into the products that he sells. He’s formed personal relationships with artisans in each region, many of whom cater their entire production to Lou’s high standards. When he’s not in Italy, Lou is behind the counter at the store, where crowds of faithful customers brave the wait for knowledgeable and personalized service. Along with other members of the Di Palo family, Lou explains the traditions and history behind the products, offering tastes to the store’s patrons, many of whom have known Di Palo’s through the generations.

The Zagat Survey has named Di Palo’s New York City’s #1 cheese store since 1999. Lou has appeared on many radio and television broadcasts and been featured in numerous magazine and newspapers including The New York Times, Vogue, Gourmet, Wine Spectator, and various books on Italian cuisine. Di Palo’s was granted the National Association of Specialty Food Retailers award of excellence and the Gourmet News Retailer of the Year award. In Italy, Lou has been awarded the Ducato dei Vini Friulani and the Sigillo Longobardo, a high honor from the region of Lombardia presented to him at Milan’s La Scala Theater. He has also been honored by RAI International as an “Ambassador of Italy to the United States.”