Alleva Dairy
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Founder | Pino Alleva |
| Defunct | March 1, 2023 |
| Fate | Closed original Manhattan location; planned relaunch in Lyndhurst, New Jersey |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | John Ciarcia (owner from 2014), Karen King (owner from 2014) |
| Products | Cheese retailing |
Alleva Dairy, founded in 1892 and situated on Grand Street within Manhattan's Little Italy district, held the distinction of being the oldest cheese retailer in the United States until it ceased operations on March 1, 2023.[1][2]
The shop was originally established by Pino Alleva, who hailed from Benevento, Italy.[3] In 2014, ownership transferred to John Ciarcia—known as Cha Cha—a former actor and boxing manager who was also a cousin of the Alleva family, along with his spouse Karen King.[4][5] At a stage in its history, Tony Danza—the actor, entertainer, and former boxer once managed by Cha Cha—held a partnership role within the store.[6][7][8][9]
In April of 2022, reports indicated that the establishment and its proprietor Karen King were overdue on rent payments exceeding $500,000 due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking extensive media attention regarding the shop’s fiscal challenges and potential shutdown.[10]
On February 8, 2023, it was revealed that the store would shutter the following month due to unresolved disputes with the landlord over unpaid rent. Having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September of the previous year and with its lease expiring in October, an agreement was reached whereby the landlord would waive back rent if a one-time payment of $31,000 was made and the premises vacated by March 5, ending an occupancy spanning more than thirteen decades.[11]
Following the closure of its original Manhattan location, owner Karen King announced plans to relaunch Alleva Dairy at a new site on Polito Avenue in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.[12]
References
- ↑ "Little Italy Cheese Shop Alleva Dairy Closes Its Doors After 130 Years; Announces New Jersey Store". ABC7 New York. March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ↑ Yang, Lucy (April 12, 2022). "Historic cheese shop in Little Italy needs 'help' to survive the COVID pandemic". ABC7 New York.
- ↑ "About Us". Alleva Dairy. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ↑ Perez, Thalia (April 13, 2022). "After battling to stay open, adored Little Italy cheese shop Alleva Dairy faces a new pandemic-related obstacle". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ↑ Sage, Alyssa (December 2, 2015). "John 'Cha Cha' Ciarcia, 'Sopranos' Actor and Restaurateur, Dies at 75". Variety. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ↑ Guerriero, Alfonso (October 9, 2017). "Tony Danza "Cha Chas" to Little Italy's Past at Alleva Dairy". The Lo-Down.
- ↑ "Tony Danza is partners at Alleva Dairy in Little Italy, says election race is 'bizarre' and 'very unsettling'". nydailynews.com. May 1, 2016. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016.
- ↑ Dunea, Melanie (February 1, 2017). "At America's Oldest Cheese Shop, Tony Danza Commands Your Attention". Eater.
- ↑ David, Lauren (January 11, 2022). "The Unexpected Connection Between Tony Danza And The Oldest Cheese Store In The US". Mashed.
- ↑ Novini, Rana (April 12, 2022). "Little Italy Staple Alleva Dairy, Oldest Cheese Shop in U.S., May Soon Have to Close". NBC 4 New York.
- ↑ Morales, Christina (February 9, 2023). "Alleva Dairy, a Little Italy Cheese Shop, Will Close After 130 Years". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ↑ Chasan, Aliza (March 2, 2023). "Alleva Dairy closing in NYC after 130 years, will open new cheese store in NJ". PIX11.
40°43′10″N 73°59′50″W / 40.7194°N 73.9971°W Coordinates: Parameter: "type=" should be "type:"
- Cheese retailers
- Food and beverage enterprises located in New York City
- Retail establishments in New York City
- Businesses headquartered in Manhattan
- Established in New York City in 1892
- Closed in New York City in 2023
- Dairy product companies
- Entities that filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022
- Grand Street (Manhattan)
- Shops in New York City