The Place: A. Litteri
Where: Morse Street NE between 5th and 6th Streets NE
Why Live Near Here: If you grew up in an Italian-American family, we don’t need to give you much of a reason why you want to live near an Italian specialty shop like A. Litteri. But for the rest of you, here’s why: fresh grated parmigiano reggiano cheese, freshly sliced Italian deli meats, tasty sandwiches made to order, and an insanely good Italian wine selection. Don’t be fooled by the simple facade. Go inside and enter a whole magical imported world of deliciousness.
Things to Know: A. Litteri first opened its doors at 6th and G streets NW in 1926 and moved to its current location six years later to position itself among other warehouses and wholesalers in the Union Market area. It is the oldest Italian market in DC and it transitioned from being a wholesaler to selling retail and stocking Italian groceries in 1988.
Interestingly, Places and Spaces had already prepared to post about A. Litteri when last week a Popville article came out stating that our beloved Italian specialty shop had been sold and was under new management. If the rumors are true, the store is now owned and operated by Ken Nankervis who took over the shop’s wine program in 2012 and who 2 years ago helped A. Litteri get its Leccio d’Oro award prize from the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany as the best wine store outside Italy. Assuming this is true, let’s hope things stay just as they have been!
Spaces on the Market:
