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When Alleva Dairy, the oldest cheese shop in the U.S., was forced to close its Little Italy location after 130 years, New Yorkers were outraged. The legendary shop had all but defined its corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets, and its loss was mourned both in person and online, with many frustrated by the financial struggles and court battles the business had faced.
Fast-forward to today: Time Out can exclusively report that a new incarnation of Alleva Dairy will soon debut inside Chelsea Market, likely opening in late winter. The project is helmed by Karen King, wife of the late John “Cha Cha” Ciarcia, who took over the shop with her in 2014. King, now the sole owner of the brand, will work alongside chef Danny Paolucci, who will lead the culinary vision for the new spot.
“At its heart, Alleva Dairy is about family," King said in an official statement. "Cha Cha always believed that serving our community meant welcoming everyone as part of our extended family. As a true melting pot of cultures, Chelsea Market’s vibrant community is the perfect fit for our next chapter. We look forward to continuing Alleva Dairy’s legacy in one of the city’s most iconic food destinations and sharing our century-old recipes and home-cooked flavors with locals and visitors from around the world.”
Fans will be delighted to be able to once again devour Alleva's classic dishes, including hot and cold Italian sandwiches (yes, the Godfather Italian and the SchiaChaCha flatbread are on the menu); homemade dishes like eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, stuffed artichokes and prosciutto and ricotta balls; cured meats; and, of course, a ton of desserts, like Cha Cha's famous tiramisu and authentic cannolis.
Founded back in 1892 by Italian immigrant Pina Alleva, Alleva Dairy quickly became a go-to for New Yorkers looking for authentic Italian foods and classic deli offerings, also drawing celebrities of all caliber, including Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Martin Scorsese, Sebastian Maniscalco, Christopher Walken and Ina Garten.
Here’s to hoping that the Chelsea Market outpost of Alleva Dairy will shape the city’s culinary landscape as meaningfully as the original Little Italy institution did for generations.
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