| Created in 1999, the Little Italy Merchants
Association (LIMA) is an organization committed to serving the best
interests of New York City’s Little Italy, an historic district
in Lower Manhattan where thousands of Italian immigrants settled and
formed roots after emigrating to the United States after the turn
of the 20th century. Today LIMA represents
more than 50 restaurants / cafes, gift shops, food stores and other
retail businesses on Mulberry, Grand, Hester and Broome Streets,
north of Canal Street. LIMA also works closely with local residents
and community organizations to try and enhance the quality of life
in the neighborhood, and works closely with other local business
and trade associations in Lower Manhattan, as well as with city
and state tourism agencies, to explore ways of creating additional
economic opportunities in the area.
Little Italy is well known the world over for its
authentic Italian food and pastries, as well as for its many religious
and cultural festivals that attract millions of visitors and tourists
to the area every year, including the annual Summer
in Little Italy festival, celebrated every weekend from Memorial
Day through Columbus Day, and the annual Christmas
in Little Italy festival, celebrated in December.
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