In 1957, Italian-born Jerry Russo and his family immigrated to one of Newark’s most populous streets, Bloomfield Avenue. Over the years, he has witnessed a significant shift through the windows of Lou Caputo’s Florist, his place of work since his teenage years: Latinos have replaced the once-dominant Italian presence on the avenue.
“I remember when I was teen, walking down the street smelling the delicious scent of gourmet pizzas and calzones and folks reading the Italian Tribune newspaper every morning, now I see Latino-owned supermarkets and restaurants,” he said. “And yes, looking back, I do kind of miss the old days, especially the Italian culture covering the streets.”
Russo, an elderly soft-spoken man, has worked in Lou Caputo’s Florist since it first opened in 1973. “I worked here at the florist way back when I was a teenager. By then, the Caucasian race was slowly starting to decline after the Newark riot hit the city in ’67,” he said.
“There was a lot of tension in the city. Military and police were driving around the streets of Newark,” Russo recalled. “It wasn’t that bad on Bloomfield Avenue though. It was far worse in other parts of Newark.”
Officially named Bloomfield Avenue since the mid-1880, the broad road spans seven cities including Newark, Montclair, Bloomfield, Caldwell, West Caldwell, Verona, and Glen Ridge. A central location for business, the street boasts many stores ranging from bakeries to groceries and nail salons to florist shops. Immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean now occupy the numerous Italian shops that have closed over the years.
“I view Bloomfield Avenue as an area that’s kind of like a strip mall. It is so convenient for people, mainly Latinos to shop here because there are a variety of stores on this street,” Russo stated. “For the Latino culture, this is like a reminder of home back in their countries because there are many Puerto Rican, Ecuadorian, Columbian, and Dominican Republic shops.”
Russo is comfortable with the Latino presence on Bloomfield Avenue. “I am fine by it actually. At times, non-English customers would come into the shop and communication becomes a problem but overall, it is interesting to learn about the Latino cultures through food and language,” he said.
Russo believes that Newark has gradually improved over the past years. He is confident that things will get better with Mayor Cory Booker as the leader of the city. “Crime rate has lowered and the city has gotten better.”
As Russo pulls down the window gates for closing time, he peers out the window and sees the sunset pouring down over Bloomfield Avenue, and smiles. Declaring Newark as his long-time home, he realizes how unique and special the city truly is.
“Bloomfield Avenue carries so much rich history. It partially defines the city because of the various cultures present and the numerous events that happened,” Russo said. “Everything that occurred in Newark over the past decades has affected the lives of the people in some shape or form. It certainly has made an impact in mine.”
Anne P. Rivera is a Rutgers-Newark student. Her report is part of an occasional series on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark. Posted April 2008.
