Johnston one of the most Italian places in the nation
By: Melissa Randall
@MRandallABC6
People in one Rhode Island town are beaming with pride after being recognized as one of the "most" Italian places in the nation. At first guess many might think it’s Providence, but it’s another place down route 6.
Nearly 50 percent of Johnston residents claim Italian ancestry, according to US Census Data. That makes the community the 2nd most Italian place in the U.S.
“It’s a fun thing to find out. It’s an obvious thing once you stop and think about it,” said Ralph Battista, Owner of Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express.
To find Italians in Johnston look no further than Luigi’s at lunchtime.
“In our database of customers almost everyone’s name ends in a vowel. So you got the Russo’s, the Ricci’s, the Ferri’s… and the list goes on and on and on of all the great Italian names that have been in Johnston forever,” said Battista.
Luigi’s is also where ABC6 ran into Anthony Napolitano. He’s President of the Italo American Club of Rhode Island.
“Most of the people are the real Italians that still practice La Vigilia, the feast of the seven fishes, and they have Sunday dinner with their family,” said Napolitano.
The Italian pride is also visible at town hall, too. A plaque hung on the wall is a reminder of their roots.
“We had the mayor of Panni [Italy] come, spend the day here and we did a signing proclamation of being sister cities,” explained Mayor Joseph Polisena of Johnston.
Johnston beat out every town and city in the country except Fairfield, New Jersey. According to the survey, the difference was by less than a percentage point. Polisena feels the town was robbed.
“I might have to call Governor Christy. He may have fudged the numbers or something you know? That one of his communities beat us. I think we’re the real number one, but we’ll take number 2,” he joked.
North Providence was also able to crack the top 20, but not Providence. Polisina says that’s because, over the years, many Italians moved from Federal Hill to the suburbs in Johnston in order to take jobs.
© WLNE-TV 2015
