In 1820, there were just thirty Italian immigrants in all of the United States. However, between 1880 and 1920, a wave of new immigration came to the United States from southern Italy, and many came to Delaware. They came to work as contract laborers on the railroad and to work to builders. By 1890, there were 459 Italian-born residents in Delaware, and their numbers grew by the close of the century.

Other industries in Delaware attracted Italian immigrants who wanted a better life. These included leather, iron, and steel. Many of the early immigrants were men who left their families behind temporarily until they could establish themselves and bring their families to Delaware. They often stayed in boarding houses with other workers. Eventually, they brought families here and bought homes.

Over the years, these immigrants settled in the neighborhood around Union and Lincoln Streets between Pennsylvania and Lancaster Avenues. They brought with them a strong, determined and independent culture, which they preserved through strong family structures and ties. The neighborhood was known as The Hill, and eventually Little Italy.

As Italian immigrants continued to settle in Delaware many began to open their own businesses, such as mom and pop shops. They opened fruit stores and offered their services as shoemakers, tailors, barbers, bakers, butchers, cheese and macaroni makers. Later they became restauranteurs, grocery and other retail store operators.