Today’s Little Italy has become a culinary and cultural locus for San Diego residents and visitors. With the Little Italy Association at the helm of the rampant redevelopment of the neighborhood— beginning in the early 90s after decades of decline—what was once known as the Italian Colony has thus been reimagined, reinvented, and reinvigorated. Today, Little Italy is being hailed as a bold model for urban redevelopment. Moreover, with the arrival in recent years of a new wave of immigrants, a modern tale of toil has taken the place of the previous historical narrative of this colorful community.

The characteristics of these new immigrants (while in some ways not so different than the immigrants of past generations looking to make good in a new land), do contain one notable difference: These entrepreneurs have often arrived with a plan in place and requisite funding in hand. Consequently, they represent a vital component in the overall systemic restructuring of this neighborhood.

Little Italy has become an ever-evolving enclave, one that is at once suited for and defined by the vibrant and diverse demographic that composes its landscape—a neighborhood that has almost come to represent a microcosm of our cherished land of opportunity writ large. The new merchants setting up shop in the neighborhood have deliberately flocked to San Diego’s Little Italy, likely for the sense of community and for the ambience Little Italy fosters and of which they are also creators. So, too, are the new residents of Little Italy looking for a sense of community in a downtown setting when it comes to their selection of dwelling, and they are not only consumers but co-creators as well.

The neighborhood has taken on a different role, not one based on history or tradition but one based on a continually changing definition of purpose and place. The evolution of the neighborhood’s cultural artifacts, then, is a natural extension of these dynamics. But how does its changing identity and purpose affect the cultural heritage of the neighborhood? Regarding cultural artifacts and assets in the form of narrative, what stories are being told, who is recounting them, and what is being left out? Ultimately, how the neighborhood develops in the next several years and how it retains an Italian American identity or perhaps how it reshapes that identity will provide a context for rich scholarship.

San Diego’s Little Italy remains a salient element in Italian Americana. At Convivio, we are doing our own redefining of space and place at Amici House in the Little Italy Dog Park—contributing our voice to the overall narrative of the enclave. The charming restored cottage serves as the community’s cultural hub creating a third place for residents and visitors to the Italian neighborhood.

Ultimately, we at Convivio envision a large-scale Italian American museum and cultural center in San Diego and are working toward that goal. You can learn more on our site at conviviosociety.org/vision. In the meantime, we would love to hear from you! What makes Little Italy stand out for you? What would you like to see regarding programs at Amici House? Please drop us a line at conviviosociety.org/contact.