South Philly's Italian Market celebrates 100th anniversary

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- From the butchers to the bakeries, fresh pasta has been made by hand and cheese has been hanging in the windows up and down 9th street in the Italian market since immigrants first landed in Philadelphia.

And starting this weekend the market is celebrating one impressive birthday - 100 years of food and family.

Antoinette Crimi has been preparing Cappuccios famous sausage links since she was just 5 years old.

"My brother and sister and I were born here. Right upstairs, 2nd floor," said Antionette.

Her parents opened the shop on 9th Street almost 95 years ago.

Today, her son Domenick, the third generation, runs the shop.

"This is Domenico and Caterina Cappuccio and they started the business in 1920," said Domenick.

And that's what they say is the secret to a near century of success.

"If you talk to any of the other merchants been here as long as us you will know they are least 3rd generation and some 4th," said Domenick.

He adds: "This street is a magnet - it's a family-oriented business. It's a passion."

The Italian market has been around since the late 1800s when Italian immigrants started settling in Philadelphia.

But in 1915, a formal business association gathered all of the local merchants.

"So we are celebrating 100 years of an official organization of the market and planning a year-long celebration," said Domenick.

They're calling the celebration Cent'anni, or 100 years in Italian.

And while some things have changed, the vibe still harkens back to the good old days.

"It's the outdoor vendors you want meat you want cheese you want olives there's so much variety - fresh chicken," said one shopper.

And it's the regulars that keep 9th Street bustling.

"I've been coming here for 30 years. Feels like a family," said Kevin Max.

Isgro has been making Italian pastries up the block on Christian Street for 111 years.

"You don't change. Make the product the same way make it good and people come back," said Gus Isgro from Isgro Italian Pastries.

"Same cannoli's for 111 years - that's our signature product for sure," says Gus.

The Italian Market Festival kicks off a year of celebrating those 100 years.

It takes place Saturday and Sunday (May 16-17) on 9th Street.

Last year they estimate 100,000 people went to the party.