We are deep into summer and nearly everyone is lining up in the traffic desperate for a few days or even a few hours at the shore. This presents a very special opportunity for Liz and me to indulge in one of our favorite pastimes: Visiting the old family-owned Italian markets in the region.

The first of these that comes to mind is Di Bruno Bros. on Ninth Street in Philly. I’m talking about that long narrow store in the heart of Little Italy in Philadelphia, the original shop that has been around for more than 80 years.